The studies into the pathophysiology of viral miRNAs are still in infancy; the interspecies regulation at the miRNA level fuels the spark of the investigation into the repertoire of virus-host interactions. Reports pertaining to the viral miRNAs role in modulating/evading the host immune response are surging up; we initiated this in silico study to speculate the role of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-encoded miRNAs on human antiviral mechanisms such as apoptosis and autophagy. The results indicate that both the above mechanisms were targeted by the HCMV miRNAs, located in the unique long region of the HCMV genome. The proapoptotic genes MOAP1, PHAP, and ERN1 are identified to be the potential targets for the miR-UL70-3p and UL148D, respectively. The ERN1 gene plays a role in the initiation of Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis as well as autophagosome formation. This study shows that HCMV employs its miRNA repertoire for countering the cellular apoptosis and autophagy, particularly the mitochondrial-dependent intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. In addition, the homology studies reveal no HCMV miRNA bears sequence homology with human miRNAs.

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As complex treatment techniques such as intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) entail the modeling of rounded leaf-end transmission in the treatment planning system, it is important to accurately determine the dosimetric leaf gap (DLG) value for a precise calculation of dose. The advancements in the application of the electronic portal imaging device (EPID) in quality assurance (QA) and dosimetry have facilitated the determination of DLG in this study. The DLG measurements were performed using both the ionization chamber (DLGion) and EPID (DLGEPID) for sweeping gap fields of different widths. The DLGion values were found to be 1.133 mm and 1.120 mm for perpendicular and parallel orientations of the 0.125 cm3 ionization chamber, while the corresponding DLGEPID values were 0.843 mm and 0.819 mm, respectively. It was found that the DLG was independent of volume and orientation of the ionization chamber, depth, source to surface distance (SSD), and the rate of dose delivery. Since the patient-specific QA tests showed comparable results between the IMRT plans based on the DLGEPID and DLGion, it is concluded that the EPID can be a suitable alternative in the determination of DLG.

Background:The diagnosis of Pott's disease is mostly based on clinicoradiological observations substantiated by the bacterial culture, staining and histopathology. Since, no single technique is enough to conclude Pott's disease in diagnosis, the present study was undertaken to correlate the clinicoradiological, microbiological, histopathological and molecular method to evaluate the effectiveness in diagnosis of Pott's disease.Materials and Methods:62 clinicoradiologically suspected cases of Pott's disease were included in this study. The specimens for diagnostic work up were collected either during surgery or by computed tomography guided fine needle aspiration. All these specimens were tested for tuberculosis (TB) through Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) microscopy, BACTEC culture, histopathology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The final diagnosis was established by the results of performed tests and clinicoradiological improvement of cases at the end of 6 months on anti tubercular treatment.Results:Out of 62 cases, 7 were excluded from this study as these were turned out to be neoplastic lesions on histopathology. Amongst remaining 55 cases, the TB was diagnosed in 39 (71%) on histopathology, 37 (67.5%) on PCR, 27 (49%) on BACTEC culture and 20 (36.3%) on ZN microscopy. Ultimately 45 cases were tested as positive and 10 were detected as negative for TB in combination of ZN microscopy, BACTEC culture and histopathology. PCR was positive in 37 of 45 cases and 10/55 cases remained negative. On clinical analysis of these 10 cases, it was noted that these were cases of relapse/poor compliance. The combination of PCR and histopathology was also shown positive for TB in 45 cases. Hence, the PCR showed a fair positive agreement (Κc = 0.63) against the combined results of all performed traditional methods.Conclusions:The combination of PCR and histopathology is a rapid and efficient tool for diagnosis of Pott's disease.

Modified hybrid structures of TiO2 nanotubes (TONT), p-Al doped TONT/n-TONT with an additional overlayer of alumina, are constructed to achieve 99.57% photodegradation of the stable organic pollutant methylene blue (MB) within 180 min, a degradation rate 17 times higher than pure TONTs. The anodization at three different temperatures 2, 28 and 40 °C followed by impregnation of Al is used for their preparation. The analyses of structure, chemical composition and morphology are completed using x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and high resolution transmission microscopy, respectively, Rutherford back scattering and field emission scanning electron microscopy confirm the formation of the hybrid structure. This structure exhibits the highest photodegradation rate with TONT based catalysts to date for MB blue, by enhancing the electron—hole separation, the absorption of visible photons and the adsorption sites for the pollutant. The optical data coupled with valence band XPS is used for elucidating the energy band structure of the p-n junctions and to gain insight into the effect of the junction mechanism on photoactivity. The rectification ratios of the impregnated p-n junctions, determined by current—voltage measurements, are found to vary from 102 to 106.