Cannabinoid-2 Receptor Activation Attenuates Sulfur Mustard Analog 2-Chloroethyl-Ethyl-Sulfide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice.

Exposure to sulfur mustard (SM; 2,2'-dichlorodiethyl sulfide) causes toxicity in the human body, particularly the lungs. The molecular mechanisms of SM-induced lung damage are elusive, and no effective treatments exist. This study explores the anti-inflammatory potential of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) activation in mitigating acute lung injury (ALI) and inflammation induced by 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), a structural analog of SM.

Development of dual disease resistant Basmati rice varieties offer significant economic advantage and impetus to sustainable crop production.

Introduction: Bacterial blight and blast are the major diseases causing production losses to an extent of 31.52% to 67.79%, respectively.

Physiological and molecular investigations on a high-yielding variety and near-isogenic line of rice under continuous phosphorus stress reveal major regulatory function of Pup1 QTL.

Phosphorous (P) plays crucial roles in cellular functioning including respiration, photosynthesis, and membranes. P deficiency in the soil causes stunted growth, smaller/erect leaves, lesser tillers, and a considerable decrease in yield. To decipher the functions of Pup1 QTL and delineate the potential effects of continuous P stress on plant growth, yield/quality, physio-biochemical and molecular analyses of rice [Pusa-44 (P deficiency sensitive) and a near-isogenic line-23 (NIL-23), (harbouring Pup1 QTL, tolerant genotype)] were hydroponically grown under P continuous stress [deficiency (4 ppm) or extravagance (≥32 ppm)] till maturity.

Screening for hemoglobin disorders and investigating their hematological and demographic profile among patients attending a tertiary-care hospital in southern India-a descriptive study.

Background: Hemoglobinopathies and thalassemias are widely prevalent autosomal inherited recessive disorders of the structure and synthesis of hemoglobin, respectively. Given the regional heterogeneity of these disorders, this study was undertaken to elucidate the patterns and prevalence of these disorders from this region.

Methods: This was a tertiary-care hospital-based study in southern India over 4 years.

Single-molecule detection of a terrylenediimide-based near-infrared emitter.

Environment-sensitive fluorescent agents with near-infrared (NIR) emission are in great demand owing to their applications in biomedical and quantum technologies. We report a novel NIR absorbing ( = 734 nm) and emitting ( = 814 nm) terrylenediimide (TDI) based donor-acceptor chromophore (TDI-TPA), exhibiting polarity-sensitive single-photon emission. By virtue of the charge transfer (CT) character, ensemble level measurements revealed solvatochromism and NIR emission ( = 26.

Electron diffraction and solid-state NMR reveal the structure and exciton coupling in a eumelanin precursor.

Eumelanin, a versatile biomaterial found throughout the animal kingdom, performs essential functions like photoprotection and radical scavenging. The diverse properties of eumelanin are attributed to its elusive and heterogenous structure with DHI (5,6-dihydroxyindole) and DHICA (5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid) precursors as the main constituents. Despite DHICA being recognized as the key eumelanin precursor, its crystal structure and functional role in the assembled state remain unknown.

Guest-Mediated Modulation of Photophysical Pathways in a Coronene Bisimide Cyclophane.

The properties and functions of chromophores utilized by nature are strongly affected by the environment formed by the protein structure in the cells surrounding them. This concept is transferred here to host-guest complexes with the encapsulated guests acting as an environmental stimulus. A new cyclophane host based on coronene bisimide is presented that can encapsulate a wide variety of planar guest molecules with binding constants up to (4.

Identification of a Promising Novel Genetic Source for Rice Root-Knot Nematode Resistance through Markers Associated with Trait-Specific Quantitative Trait Loci.

Direct-seeded rice (DSR) is gaining popularity among farmers due to its environmentally safe and resource-efficient production system. However, managing the rice root-knot nematode (RRKN), , remains a major challenge in DSR cultivation. Developing genetic resistance is a pragmatic and effective approach compared to using hazardous pesticides.

Special Commentary: Reporting Clinical Endpoints in Studies of Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery.

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) refers to a group of procedures generally characterized by an ab interno approach, minimal trauma to ocular tissue, moderate efficacy, an excellent safety profile, and rapid recovery. The number of MIGS procedures continues to increase, and their use has become widespread among glaucoma and cataract specialists. Standardization of the methodology and reporting of clinical endpoints in MIGS investigations enhances interpretation and comparison across different studies.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Leptospirosis in High-Risk Occupational Groups in the State of Gujarat as Determined by IgM ELISA and MAT Test: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Leptospirosis is a reemerging zoonosis affecting humans and animals worldwide in tropical and subtropical countries. The study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in high-risk occupational groups (cattle farm workers, poultry farm workers, and slaughterhouse workers) in the state of Gujarat and to determine related risk factors for leptospirosis.

Methods: Using an interview-guided questionnaire, a cross-sectional study was conducted involving 123 people in high-risk occupational groups (namely, cattle farm workers, poultry farm workers, and slaughterhouse workers) from five districts of the state of Gujarat, India.

Sweet Saboteur: Insulinoma Presenting As Recurrent Hypoglycemic Seizures.

Insulinoma, a rare neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas, often presents diagnostic challenges due to its diverse clinical manifestations. We present the case of a 25-year-old female with recurrent hypoglycemic seizures and neuroglycopenic symptoms, ultimately diagnosed with insulinoma. Despite an initial asymptomatic period, the patient experienced progressively worsening symptoms over three years, culminating in eight episodes of generalized tonic-clonic seizures per week.

The Relationship Between GAPDH Gene Polymorphism and Risk of Acute Coronary Syndrome in South Indians with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

As glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is one of the regulators of carbonyl stress, a pathogenic mechanism for diabetic complications like acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the study aimed to investigate the relationship between GAPDH gene polymorphism, GAPDH activity in red blood cell (RBC), methylglyoxal (MG) levels in plasma and ACS risk in South Indians with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study comprised 150 T2DM with ACS as cases and 150 T2DM without ACS as controls. The GAPDH rs1136666, rs1060620 and rs1060619 gene polymorphisms were identified by TaqMan probe assays.

GC-MS validation and analysis of targeted plasma metabolites related to carbonyl stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without acute coronary syndrome.

Methylglyoxal (MG) is responsible for advanced glycation end-product formation, the mechanisms leading to diabetes pathogenesis and complications like acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Sugar metabolites, amino acids and fatty acids are possible substrates for MG. The study aimed to measure plasma MG substrate levels using a validated gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method and explore their association with ACS risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Symmetry-Breaking Charge Separation Mediated Triplet Population in a Perylenediimide Trimer at the Single-Molecule Level.

Herein, we demonstrate triplet excited-state population in a conformationally rigid perylenediimide trimer (PDI-T) via intramolecular symmetry-breaking charge separation (SB-CS) at the single-molecule level. The single-molecule fluorescence intensity trajectories of PDI-T in nonpolar polystyrene matrix (ε = 2.60) exhibit prolonged fluorescence with infrequent dark states, representing the triplet and/or the charge transfer states.

A Comparative Study on Efficacy of Intraocular Pressure Lowering of Two Fixed-Dose Antiglaucoma Drug Combination Brinzolamide-Brimonidine Versus Latanoprost-Timolol in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension.

To compare the efficacy of Brinzolamide-Brimonidine (BB) (1%+0.2%) with the gold standard Latanoprost-Timolol (LT) (0.005%+0.

Room Temperature Phosphorescence in Crystalline Iodinated Eumelanin Monomer.

We report the room temperature phosphorescence upon iodination on a crystalline eumelanin monomer with shielded hydroxyl moieties, ethyl 5,6-dimethoxyindole-2-carboxylate (DMICE). Ultrafast intersystem crossing (ISC) is observed in the iodinated (IDMICE) as well as brominated (BDMICE) analogues of the eumelanin monomer derivative in solution. The triplet quantum yields (φ) and intersystem crossing rates (k) of the halogenated eumelanin derivatives are =25.

Association of Gene Polymorphisms with Risk of Acute Coronary Syndrome in South Indian Population: A Case-Control Genetic Association Study.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein changes are associated with the pathogenesis and complications of atherosclerosis, leading to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Tenascin-C (TNC), an ECM protein, has been implemented in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prognosis of patients with cardiovascular disease. The study aimed to compare the genetic variants of the gene (rs13321, rs2104772, and rs12347433) between South Indians with ACS and healthy participants.

Carbon nanofibers/liquid metal composites for high temperature laser ultrasound.

As the demand for clean energy becomes greater worldwide, there will also be an increasing demand for next generation nuclear power plants that incorporate advanced sensors and monitoring equipment. A major challenge posed by nuclear power plants is that, during normal operation, the reactor compartment is subjected to high operating temperatures and radiation flux. Diagnostic sensors monitoring such structures are also subject to temperatures reaching hundreds of degrees Celsius, which puts them at risk for heat degradation.

Fine mapping of , a major QTL governing resistance to bakanae disease in rice.

Bakanae disease caused by is an emerging disease of rice causing losses in all rice-growing regions around the world. A BCF population was developed by backcrossing the recurrent parent Pusa Basmati 1121 (PB1121) with the recombinant inbred line RIL28, which harbors a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) governing resistance to bakanae, . MassARRAY-based single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays targeting the genomic region of helped in fine mapping the QTL to a region of 130 kb between the SNP markers and using 24 recombinants.

Genetic Enhancement for Biotic Stress Resistance in Basmati Rice through Marker-Assisted Backcross Breeding.

Pusa Basmati 1509 (PB1509) is one of the major foreign-exchange-earning varieties of Basmati rice; it is semi-dwarf and early maturing with exceptional cooking quality and strong aroma. However, it is highly susceptible to various biotic stresses including bacterial blight and blast. Therefore, bacterial blight resistance genes, namely, + and , and fungal blast resistance genes + and were incorporated into the genetic background of recurrent parent (RP) PB1509 using donor parents, namely, Pusa Basmati 1718 (PB1718), Pusa 1927 (P1927), Pusa 1929 (P1929) and Tetep, respectively.

Addressing Glaucoma in Myopic Eyes: Diagnostic and Surgical Challenges.

Epidemiological and genetic studies provide strong evidence supporting an association between myopia and glaucoma. The accurate detection of glaucoma in myopic eyes, especially those with high myopia, remains clinically challenging due to characteristic morphologic features of the myopic optic nerve in addition to limitations of current optic nerve imaging modalities. Distinguishing glaucoma from myopia is further complicated by overlapping perimetric findings.

Epigenetic modifications and miRNAs determine the transition of somatic cells into somatic embryos.

This review discusses the epigenetic changes during somatic embryo (SE) development, highlights the genes and miRNAs involved in the transition of somatic cells into SEs as a result of epigenetic changes, and draws insights on biotechnological opportunities to study SE development. Somatic embryogenesis from somatic cells occurs in a series of steps. The transition of somatic cells into somatic embryos (SEs) is the most critical step under genetic and epigenetic regulations.

The genetic polymorphisms and activity of glyoxalase 1 as a risk factor for acute coronary syndrome in South Indians with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: The individuals' genetic traits predispose them to a higher or lower risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications, for example, acute coronary syndrome (ACS). As carbonyl stress is responsible for the pathogenesis and complications of T2DM, and glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) is the most crucial determinant of carbonyl stress, the study aimed to explore the association between GLO1 gene polymorphism, GLO1 activity in red blood cell (RBC), plasma methylglyoxal (MG) levels, and ACS risk in South Indian T2DM patients.

Methods: A total of 150 T2DM patients with ACS as cases and 150 T2DM patients without ACS as controls were recruited in a case-control study.