Defensive glands in Stylotermitidae (Blattodea, Isoptera).

The large abundance of termites is partially achieved by their defensive abilities. Stylotermitidae represented by a single extant genus, Stylotermes, is a member of a termite group Neoisoptera that encompasses 83% of termite species and 94% of termite genera and is characterized by the presence of the frontal gland. Within Neoisoptera, Stylotermitidae represents a species-poor sister lineage of all other groups.

The Trail-Following Communication in Stylotermes faveolus and S. halumicus (Blattodea, Isoptera, Stylotermitidae).

Stylotermitidae appear peculiar among all termites, feeding in trunks of living trees in South Asia only. The difficulty to collect them limits the ability to study them, and they thus still belong to critically unknown groups in respect to their biology. We used a combination of microscopic observations, chemical analysis and behavioural tests, to determine the source and chemical nature of the trail-following pheromone of Stylotermes faveolus from India and S.

Women in Selected Communities of Punjab, India Have a High Prevalence of Iron, Zinc, Vitamin B12, and Folate Deficiencies: Implications for a Multiply-Fortified Salt Intervention.

Dietary intake and biomarkers of micronutrient status of 100 non-pregnant women of reproductive age (NPWRA) were assessed to determine optimal levels of iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and folic acid to include in multiply-fortified salt (MFS) that will be evaluated in an upcoming trial. Weighed food records were obtained from participants to measure intake of micronutrients and discretionary salt, and to assess adequacy using Indian Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs). Statistical modeling was used to determine optimal fortification levels to reduce inadequate micronutrient intake while limiting intake above the upper limit.

Therapeutic compounds from medicinal plant endophytes: molecular and metabolic adaptations.

During the last few decades, endophytes have attracted increased attention due to their ability to produce a plethora of bioactive secondary metabolites. These compounds not only help the endophytes to outcompete other plant-associated microbes or pathogens through quorum sensing, but also enable them to surmount the plant immune system. However, only a very few studies have described the interlink between various biochemical and molecular factors of host-microbe interactions involved in the production of these pharmacological metabolites.

Radiologic finding of intraosseous gas: A rare case of emphysematous osteomyelitis of the foot.

Emphysematous osteomyelitis is a rare but potentially life-threatening infection which is characterized by presence of intraosseous gas. It is a very rare form of osteomyelitis which is complicated by infection with gas forming organisms. In majority of the cases, it has been found to be associated with comorbidities like immunosuppressive therapies, diabetes mellitus, alcohol use, and several others.

Cryptotanshinone protects against oxidative stress in the paraquat-induced Parkinson's disease model.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder associated with striatal dopaminergic neuronal loss in the Substantia nigra. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in several neurodegenerative diseases. Paraquat (PQ) is considered a potential neurotoxin that affects the brain leading to the death of dopaminergic neurons mimicking the PD phenotype.

Artemisia Leaf Extract protects against neuron toxicity by TRPML1 activation and promoting autophagy/mitophagy clearance in both in vitro and in vivo models of MPP+/MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder involving the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Cellular clearance mechanisms, including the autophagy-lysosome pathway, are commonly affected in the pathogenesis of PD. The lysosomal Ca channel mucolipin TRP channel 1 (TRPML1) is one of the most important proteins involved in the regulation of autophagy.

Novel anti-aging herbal formulation Jing Si displays pleiotropic effects against aging associated disorders.

Common characteristics of aging include reduced somatic stem cell number, susceptibility to cardiac injuries, metabolic imbalances and increased risk for oncogenesis. In this study, Pleiotropic anti-aging effects of a decoction Jing Si herbal drink (JS) containing eight Traditional Chinese Medicine based herbs, with known effects against aging related disorders was evaluated. Adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) from 16 week old adult and 24 month old aging WKY rats were evaluated for the age-related changes in stem cell homeostasis.

Antidiabetic potential of seaweed and their bioactive compounds: a review of developments in last decade.

Diabetes Mellitus is a public health problem worldwide due to high morbidity and mortality rate associated with it. Diabetes can be managed by synthetic hypoglycemic drugs, although their persistent uses have several side effects. Hence, there is a paradigm shift toward the use of natural products having antidiabetic potential.

Polyamines: Functions, Metabolism, and Role in Human Disease Management.

Putrescine, spermine, and spermidine are the important polyamines (PAs), found in all living organisms. PAs are formed by the decarboxylation of amino acids, and they facilitate cell growth and development via different cellular responses. PAs are the integrated part of the cellular and genetic metabolism and help in transcription, translation, signaling, and post-translational modifications.

Are Providers and Patients Following Hormonal Therapy Guidelines for Patients Over the Age of 70? The Influence of CALGB 9343.

Background: The Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 9343 clinical trial proved that omission of radiotherapy (RT) in patients 70 and older with T1cN0M0, estrogen receptor-positive tumors who undergo breast conservation therapy (BCT) and receive 5 years of endocrine therapy (ET) had no change in overall survival, distant disease-free survival, or breast preservation. We examined our institution's practice with this patient subset.

Patients And Methods: A single-institution retrospective chart review was performed on patients 70 years and older with T1N0M0, estrogen receptor-positive tumors, and who underwent BCT between April 2010 and October 2015.

Hypofractionated whole breast radiotherapy in breast conservation for early-stage breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Purpose: Breast conservation therapy (BCT) for early-stage breast cancer involves lumpectomy followed by whole breast radiotherapy, which can involve either standard fractionation (SRT) or accelerated fractionation (ART). This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to determine whether any benefit exists for ART or SRT.

Materials And Methods: We searched MEDLINE (1966-2014), all seven databases of the Cochrane Library (1968-2014), EMBASE (1974-2014), clinicaltrials.

Updates on the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2-positive breast cancer.

Purpose Of Review: To review the most recent developments in the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer with novel HER2-targeting agents and combinations that have significantly improved clinical outcomes.

Recent Findings: Since the approval of trastuzumab 15 years ago, the natural history of HER2-positive breast cancer has been altered with improvements in survival for both early and advanced disease with the addition of this agent to standard chemotherapy. The HER2 receptor pathway drives breast cancer growth and aggressiveness, and HER2-targeted agents can improve survival in early and advanced disease.

The role of the fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) in breast cancer risk.

Background: Obesity has been shown to increase breast cancer risk. FTO is a novel gene which has been identified through genome wide association studies (GWAS) to be related to obesity. Our objective was to evaluate tissue expression of FTO in breast and the role of FTO SNPs in predicting breast cancer risk.