Oestrogen controls Foxp3 expression in regulatory T cells (Treg cells) via a mechanism thought to involve oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα), but the molecular basis and functional impact of ERα signalling in Treg cells remain unclear. We report that ERα ligand oestradiol (E2) is significantly increased in human cervical cancer (CxCa) tissues and tumour-infiltrating Treg cells (CD4+CD25hiCD127low), whereas blocking ERα with the antagonist ICI 182,780 abolishes FOXP3 expression and impairs the function of CxCa infiltrating Treg cells. Using a novel approach of co-immunoprecipitation with antibodies to E2 for capture, we identified binding of E2:ERα complexes to FOXP3 protein in CxCa-derived Treg cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses of male blood Treg cells revealed ERα occupancy at the FOXP3 promoter and conserved non-coding DNA elements 2 and 3. Accordingly, computational analyses of the enriched regions uncovered eight putative oestrogen response elements predicted to form a loop that can activate the FOXP3 promoter. Together, these data suggest that E2-mediated ERα signalling is critical for the sustenance of FOXP3 expression and Treg cell function in human CxCa via direct interaction of ERα with FOXP3 promoter. Overall, our work gives a molecular insight into ERα signalling and highlights a fundamental role of E2 in controlling human Treg cell physiology.

Introduction  Chronic suppurative otitis media is a common ailment in developing countries, and it generally presents with otorrhea and hearing loss. Different surgical procedures have been used to treat otitis media; among them is myringoplasty, which is a procedure that includes repair of the tympanic membrane. Platelet concentrates have been used widely in different types of wounds and are found to improve wound healing. Hence, the use of platelet-rich fibrin in myringoplasty will also improve the tympanic membrane healing. Objectives  To assess the safety and efficacy of autologous platelet-rich fibrin on graft uptake in myringoplasty. Methods  Eighty-six patients were observed during the study period of two years. Forty-three patients in the study group underwent myringoplasty aided with platelet-rich fibrin, and 43 patients in the control group went through the same procedure but without the platelet-rich fibrin. The patients were observed for three months postoperatively by a blinded observer. Results  A total of 4.7% of the patients in the study group had postoperative infection, compared with a rate of 19% in the control group ( p  = 0.039). The graft uptake success rate was found to be 97.7% in the study group as compared with 81% in control group ( p  = 0.012). The results were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion  Being autologous in nature, and by comparing the groups, platelet-rich fibrin is safe for patients. The postoperative graft uptake rate is better in cases in which platelet-rich fibrin was used. The postoperative infection rate was also lower in the same group.

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A 40-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department with complaints of anasarca, mild dyspnea, orthopnea, vomiting, and decreased urine output. A provisional diagnosis of chronic kidney disease was made and planned for hemodialysis. In view of severe anemia, 1 packed red blood cell (PRBC) was requested and after pretransfusion testing one unit of buffy coat-poor, nonleucofiltered, coombs cross-match compatible, fresh (<7-days old) saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol PRBC unit was issued. After transfusion of around 20 ml of red cells patient developed sudden onset of excruciating pain in the lower back and hip joints, tachypnea, and breathlessness with oxygen saturation dropping to 82%. Vitals were normal and patient remained afebrile. After stopping transfusion, supplemental oxygen and opioid analgesic were given. Once the symptoms subsided, transfusion was completed. A complete work-up was done to rule out other adverse reactions. Thus, this patient experienced what is known as an acute pain transfusion reaction.

Background: As per Indian drugs and cosmetic act & rules 1945 (DCA), 1% or 4 units/month of all components should meet quality control parameter. Aims and objectives: 1.) To assess the level of clotting factors FV and FIX in FFP. 2.) To identify the association between clotting factors FV and FIX in FFP with its mode of collection and storage. Methods: This is a Cross sectional study design done for a period of 20 months. The comparison of the levels of clotting factors such as V and IX between the blood group were carried out by using independent students’ one-way analysis of variance. All statistical analysis was carried out at 5% level of significance and p-value <0.05 were considered as significant. All statistical analysis was done using software IBM PASW statistics (SPSS) version 19.0. Result: The present study was done at a south Indian tertiary care center from January 2016 to August 2017. Around 28,919 FFPs were assessed during this study period. On comparing factor levels between blood bank and camp site, there were no significant difference. Conclusion: In our study, FV and FIX were maintained as per DGHS criteria.

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Detection of clinically significant alloantibodies during pretransfusion testing is essential before any blood transfusion. Sometimes, clinically insignificant antibodies unrelated to blood group antigen may interfere with routine testing. Their interpretation is often made only after tedious immunohematology workup resulting in the exclusion of all possible clinically significant antibodies. We encountered such incidence which interfered with crossmatching. In our case, direct antiglobulin test was negative, indirect antiglobulin test and autocontrol were positive with pan-reactive antibody screening test, and group-specific units were incompatible. After meticulous workup, we could find that these antibodies were directed against the enhancement media, low-ionic strength solution in this case.