The shrine antechamber is a standard component of the Indian temple architecture. It was originat... more The shrine antechamber is a standard component of the Indian temple architecture. It was originated in the Buddhist context, and the context was the rock-cut architecture of the Deccan and central India. The first antechamber was attempted in circa 125 CE in the Nasik Cave 17. It was patronised by Indrāgnidatta, a yavana , who possibly hailed from Bactria. The second antechamber was created in Bāgh Cave 2 in ca. late 466 CE. The patron remains unknown. The third antechamber was initiated in Ajanta Cave 16 within a few months. It was patronised by Varāhadeva, the Prime Minister of Vākātaka Mahārāj Hari Sena. When the third antechamber was only half excavated, the plan was cancelled by the patron himself due to a sudden threat posed by the Alchon Hūns led by Mahā-Sāhi Khingila. The Nasik antechamber was inspired from Bactria, the Bāgh antechamber was inspired from the parrallels in the Greater Gandhāra region, whereas the Ajanta Cave 16 antechamber was inspired from Bāgh Cave 2.
Antimicrobial resistance and infection control, 2018
Objects frequently touched by patients and healthcare workers in hospitals harbor potential patho... more Objects frequently touched by patients and healthcare workers in hospitals harbor potential pathogens and may act as source of infectious agents. This study aimed to determine the bacterial contamination of common hospital objects frequently touched by patients, visitors and healthcare workers. A total of 232 samples were collected from various sites like surface of biometric attendance devices, elevator buttons, door handles, staircase railings, telephone sets and water taps. Isolation, identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing of the isolates was performed by standard microbiological techniques. Biofilm forming ability of the isolates was tested by a microtitre plate method. A total of 232 samples were collected and 219 bacterial isolates were recovered from 181 samples. was the most common bacterial isolate (44/219). Majority of isolates were recovered from elevator buttons, biometric attendance devices and door handles. Among the isolates, 36.3% (16/44) were methicill...
The study was designed to isolate and characterize Pseudomonas spp. from sugarcane rhizosphere, a... more The study was designed to isolate and characterize Pseudomonas spp. from sugarcane rhizosphere, and to evaluate their plant- growth- promoting (PGP) traits and nitrogenase activity. A biological nitrogen-fixing microbe has great potential to replace chemical fertilizers and be used as a targeted biofertilizer in a plant. A total of 100 isolates from sugarcane rhizosphere, belonging to different species, were isolated; from these, 30 isolates were selected on the basis of preliminary screening, for in vitro antagonistic activities against sugarcane pathogens and for various PGP traits, as well as nitrogenase activity. The production of IAA varied from 312.07 to 13.12 μg mL(-1) in tryptophan supplemented medium, with higher production in AN15 and lower in CN20 strain. The estimation of ACC deaminase activity, strains CY4 and BA2 produced maximum and minimum activity of 77.0 and 15.13 μmoL mg(-1) h(-1). For nitrogenase activity among the studied strains, CoA6 fixed higher and AY1 fixed...
Protein ubiquitination plays a role in essentially every process in eukaryotic cells. The attachm... more Protein ubiquitination plays a role in essentially every process in eukaryotic cells. The attachment of ubiquitin (Ub) or Ub-like (UBL) proteins to target proteins is achieved by parallel but distinct cascades of enzymatic reactions involving three enzymes: E1, E2, and E3. The E1 enzyme functions at the apex of this pathway and plays a critical role in activating the C-terminus of ubiquitin or UBL, which is an essential step that triggers subsequent downstream transfer to their cognate E2s resulting in the fidelity of the Ub/UBL conjugation machinery. Despite the central role of the E1 enzyme in protein modification, a quantitative method to measure Ub/UBL activation by E1 is lacking. Here, we present a mass spectrometry-based assay to accurately measure the activation of Ub/UBL by E1 independent of the E2/E3 enzymes. Our method does not require radiolabeling of any components and therefore can be used in any biochemical laboratory having access to a mass spectrometer. This method a...
During early seedling development, the shoot apical meristem is protected from damage as the seed... more During early seedling development, the shoot apical meristem is protected from damage as the seedling emerges from soil by the formation of apical hook. Hook formation requires differential growth across the epidermis below the meristem in the hypocotyl. The plant hormones ethylene and auxin play key roles during apical hook development by controlling differential growth. We provide genetic and cell biological evidence for the role of ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1)-GTPase and its effector ARF-guanine-exchange factors (GEF)s of the BFA-inhibited GEF (BIG) family and GNOM in ethylene- and auxin-mediated control of hook development. We show that ARF-GEF GNOM acts early, whereas BIG ARF-GEFs act at a later stage of apical hook development. We show that the localization of ARF1 and BIG4 at the trans-Golgi network (TGN) depends on ECHIDNA (ECH), a plant homolog of yeast Triacylglycerol lipase(TLG2/SYP4) interacting protein Tgl2-Vesicle Protein 23 (TVP23). BIGs together with ECH and ARF1...
Ubiquitin (Ub) signaling is a diverse group of processes controlled by covalent attachment of sma... more Ubiquitin (Ub) signaling is a diverse group of processes controlled by covalent attachment of small protein Ub and polyUb chains to a range of cellular protein targets. The best documented Ub signaling pathway is the one that delivers polyUb proteins to the 26S proteasome for degradation. However, studies of molecular interactions involved in this process have been hampered by the transient and hydrophobic nature of these interactions and the lack of tools to study them. Here, we develop Ub-phototrap (Ub(PT)), a synthetic Ub variant containing a photoactivatable crosslinking side chain. Enzymatic polymerization into chains of defined lengths and linkage types provided a set of reagents that led to identification of Rpn1 as a third proteasome ubiquitin-associating subunit that coordinates docking of substrate shuttles, unloading of substrates, and anchoring of polyUb conjugates. Our work demonstrates the value of Ub(PT), and we expect that its future uses will help define and investi...
In the present work, we have synthesized three dimensional (3D) reduced graphene oxide nanosheets... more In the present work, we have synthesized three dimensional (3D) reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (rGO NSs) containing iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) hybrids (3D Fe3O4/rGO) by one-pot microwave approach. Structural and morphological studies reveal that the as-synthesized Fe3O4/rGO hybrids were composed of faceted Fe3O4 NPs induced into the interconnected network of rGO NSs. The morphologies and structures of the 3D hybrids have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS). The electrochemical studies were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, which demonstrate superior electrochemical performance as supercapacitors electrode application. The specific capacitances of 3D hybrid materials was 455 F g-1 at the scan rate of 8 mV s-1, which is superior to that ...
Tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) a copper-containing monooxygenase, isolated from a fungal isolate Asper... more Tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) a copper-containing monooxygenase, isolated from a fungal isolate Aspergillus niger PA2 was subjected for immobilization onto a composite consisting of chitosan and gelatin biopolymers. The homogeneity of the chitosan-gelatin biocomposite film was characterized by X-ray diffraction analyses. To evaluate immobilization efficiency, chitosan-gelatin-Tyr bio-composite films were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and UV-spectroscopy. The rough morphology of the film led to a high loading of enzyme and it could retain its bioactivity for a longer period. The enzyme adsorbed onto the film exhibited 72% of its activity after 10 days and exhibited good repeatability for up to nine times, after intermittent storage. Moreover, the immobilized enzyme exhibited broader pH and temperature profile as compared to free counterpart. Immobilized enzyme was further evaluated for the synthesis of L-DOPA (2,4-dihydroxy phenylalanine...
Ripening in mango is under a complex control of ethylene. In an effort to understand the complex ... more Ripening in mango is under a complex control of ethylene. In an effort to understand the complex spatio-temporal control of ripening we have made use of a popular N. Indian variety "Dashehari" This variety ripens from the stone inside towards the peel outside and forms jelly in the pulp in ripe fruits. Through a combination of 454 and Illumina sequencing, a transcriptomic analysis of gene expression from unripe and midripe stages have been performed in triplicates. Overall 74,312 unique transcripts with ≥1 FPKM were obtained. The transcripts related to 127 pathways were identified in "Dashehari" mango transcriptome by the KEGG analysis. These pathways ranged from detoxification, ethylene biosynthesis, carbon metabolism and aromatic amino acid degradation. The transcriptome study reveals differences not only in expression of softening associated genes but also those that govern ethylene biosynthesis and other nutritional characteristics. This study could help to d...
Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry, Jan 17, 2016
Circulating lipid components were studied under near-normal tropical conditions (around Lucknow) ... more Circulating lipid components were studied under near-normal tropical conditions (around Lucknow) in 162 healthy volunteers - mostly medical students, staff members and members of their families (103 males and 59 females; 7 to 75y), subdivided into 4 age groups: A (7-20y; N=42), B (21-40y; N=60), C (41-60y; N=35) and D (61-75y; N=25). Blood samples were collected from each subject every 6h for 24h (4 samples). Plasma was separated and total cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, phospholipids and total lipids were measured spectrophotometrically. Data from each subject were analyzed by cosinor. We examined by multiple-analysis of variance how the MESOR (Midline Estimating Statistic Of Rhythm, a rhythm-adjusted mean) and the circadian amplitude of these variables is affected by gender, age, diet (vegetarian vs. omnivore), and smoking status. In addition to effects of gender and age, diet and smoking were found to affect the MESOR of circulating plasma lipid component...
Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (CPAN) is a rare disease that affects small and middle caliber ves... more Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (CPAN) is a rare disease that affects small and middle caliber vessels of the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue and its etiopathology remains yet to be understood. Retrospective review of twenty two cases diagnosed as CPAN and confirmed by skin biopsy over the last 11years was evaluated in our department. We found predominance in white woman, mean age of 39.4years, showing no comorbidities in most of our sample. Mean follow up time was 58months. The most frequent cutaneous manifestations were ulcers, livedo racemosa, subcutaneous nodules, atrophie blanche lesions and purpuras; with lower limbs involvement in all cases, however other areas were also involved. The main regional symptoms were pain and paresthesia, while systemic complaints were absent in the majority of cases. Mononeuritis multiplex was identified in a quarter of our sample. Most of the laboratory findings were non-specific. There was evidence for previously contact with Mycobacterium t...
Monocyte-derived cells use an extracellular, acidic, lytic compartment (a lysosomal synapse) for ... more Monocyte-derived cells use an extracellular, acidic, lytic compartment (a lysosomal synapse) for initial degradation of large objects or species bound to the extracellular matrix. Akin to osteoclast degradation of bone, extracellular catabolism is used by macrophages to degrade aggregates of LDL similar to those encountered during atherogenesis. However, unlike osteoclast catabolism, the lysosomal synapse is a highly dynamic and intricate structure. In this study, we use high resolution 3-dimensional imaging to visualize compartments formed by macrophages to catabolize aggregated LDL. We show that these compartments are topologically complex, have a convoluted structure and contain sub-regions that are acidified. These sub-regions are characterized by a close apposition of the macrophage plasma membrane and aggregates of LDL that are still connected to the extracellular space. Compartment formation is dependent on local actin polymerization. However, once formed, compartments are ab...
Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics, 2015
Hydrodynamic interactions between a pair of capsules in simple shear are numerically investigated... more Hydrodynamic interactions between a pair of capsules in simple shear are numerically investigated using a front-tracking finite difference method. The membrane of the capsule is modeled using different hyperelastic constitutive relations. We also compare the pair interactions between drops to those between capsules. An increased viscosity ratio leads to a reduced net cross-stream separation between capsules as well as drops after collision. At low viscosity ratios, for the same capillary number drop-pairs show higher cross-stream separation than those for capsule-pairs, while substantially large viscosity ratios result in almost the same value for both cases. We investigate pair-collisions between two heterogeneous capsules C_{1} and C_{2} with two different capillary numbers. The maximum deformation of C_{1} was seen to increase with increasing stiffness (decreasing capillary number) of C_{2}, even though the stiffness of C_{1} was kept fixed. The findings are similar for a drop-pa...
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 2015
Objective— Although dendritic cells are known to play a role in atherosclerosis, few studies have... more Objective— Although dendritic cells are known to play a role in atherosclerosis, few studies have examined the contribution of the wide variety of dendritic cell subsets. Accordingly, their roles in atherogenesis remain largely unknown. We investigated the ability of different dendritic cell subsets to become foam cells after contact with aggregated low-density lipoprotein (LDL; the predominant form of LDL found in atherosclerotic plaques). Approach and Results— We demonstrate that both murine and human monocyte-derived dendritic cells use exophagy to degrade aggregated LDL, leading to foam cell formation, whereas monocyte-independent dendritic cells are unable to clear LDL aggregates by this mechanism. Exophagy is a catabolic process in which objects that cannot be internalized by phagocytosis (because of their size or association with extracellular structures) are initially digested in an extracellular acidic lytic compartment. Surprisingly, we found that monocyte-derived dendriti...
Cisplatin is more often used to treat ovarian cancer (OvCa), which provides modest survival advan... more Cisplatin is more often used to treat ovarian cancer (OvCa), which provides modest survival advantage primarily due to chemo-resistance and up regulated anti-apoptotic machineries in OvCa cells. Therefore, targeting the mechanisms responsible for cisplatin resistance in OvCa cell may improve therapeutic outcomes. We have shown that ovarian cancer cells express CC chemokine receptor-9 (CCR9). Others have also shown that CCL25, the only natural ligand for CCR9, up regulates anti-apoptotic proteins in immature T lymphocytes. Hence, it is plausible that CCR9-mediated cell signals might be involved in OvCa cell survival and inhibition of cisplatin-induced apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the potential role and molecular mechanisms of CCR9-mediated inhibition of cisplatin-induced apoptosis in OvCa cells. Cell proliferation, vibrant apoptosis, and TUNEL assays were performed with or without cisplatin treatment in presence or absence of CCL25 to determine the role of the CCR9-CCL25...
The shrine antechamber is a standard component of the Indian temple architecture. It was originat... more The shrine antechamber is a standard component of the Indian temple architecture. It was originated in the Buddhist context, and the context was the rock-cut architecture of the Deccan and central India. The first antechamber was attempted in circa 125 CE in the Nasik Cave 17. It was patronised by Indrāgnidatta, a yavana , who possibly hailed from Bactria. The second antechamber was created in Bāgh Cave 2 in ca. late 466 CE. The patron remains unknown. The third antechamber was initiated in Ajanta Cave 16 within a few months. It was patronised by Varāhadeva, the Prime Minister of Vākātaka Mahārāj Hari Sena. When the third antechamber was only half excavated, the plan was cancelled by the patron himself due to a sudden threat posed by the Alchon Hūns led by Mahā-Sāhi Khingila. The Nasik antechamber was inspired from Bactria, the Bāgh antechamber was inspired from the parrallels in the Greater Gandhāra region, whereas the Ajanta Cave 16 antechamber was inspired from Bāgh Cave 2.
Antimicrobial resistance and infection control, 2018
Objects frequently touched by patients and healthcare workers in hospitals harbor potential patho... more Objects frequently touched by patients and healthcare workers in hospitals harbor potential pathogens and may act as source of infectious agents. This study aimed to determine the bacterial contamination of common hospital objects frequently touched by patients, visitors and healthcare workers. A total of 232 samples were collected from various sites like surface of biometric attendance devices, elevator buttons, door handles, staircase railings, telephone sets and water taps. Isolation, identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing of the isolates was performed by standard microbiological techniques. Biofilm forming ability of the isolates was tested by a microtitre plate method. A total of 232 samples were collected and 219 bacterial isolates were recovered from 181 samples. was the most common bacterial isolate (44/219). Majority of isolates were recovered from elevator buttons, biometric attendance devices and door handles. Among the isolates, 36.3% (16/44) were methicill...
The study was designed to isolate and characterize Pseudomonas spp. from sugarcane rhizosphere, a... more The study was designed to isolate and characterize Pseudomonas spp. from sugarcane rhizosphere, and to evaluate their plant- growth- promoting (PGP) traits and nitrogenase activity. A biological nitrogen-fixing microbe has great potential to replace chemical fertilizers and be used as a targeted biofertilizer in a plant. A total of 100 isolates from sugarcane rhizosphere, belonging to different species, were isolated; from these, 30 isolates were selected on the basis of preliminary screening, for in vitro antagonistic activities against sugarcane pathogens and for various PGP traits, as well as nitrogenase activity. The production of IAA varied from 312.07 to 13.12 μg mL(-1) in tryptophan supplemented medium, with higher production in AN15 and lower in CN20 strain. The estimation of ACC deaminase activity, strains CY4 and BA2 produced maximum and minimum activity of 77.0 and 15.13 μmoL mg(-1) h(-1). For nitrogenase activity among the studied strains, CoA6 fixed higher and AY1 fixed...
Protein ubiquitination plays a role in essentially every process in eukaryotic cells. The attachm... more Protein ubiquitination plays a role in essentially every process in eukaryotic cells. The attachment of ubiquitin (Ub) or Ub-like (UBL) proteins to target proteins is achieved by parallel but distinct cascades of enzymatic reactions involving three enzymes: E1, E2, and E3. The E1 enzyme functions at the apex of this pathway and plays a critical role in activating the C-terminus of ubiquitin or UBL, which is an essential step that triggers subsequent downstream transfer to their cognate E2s resulting in the fidelity of the Ub/UBL conjugation machinery. Despite the central role of the E1 enzyme in protein modification, a quantitative method to measure Ub/UBL activation by E1 is lacking. Here, we present a mass spectrometry-based assay to accurately measure the activation of Ub/UBL by E1 independent of the E2/E3 enzymes. Our method does not require radiolabeling of any components and therefore can be used in any biochemical laboratory having access to a mass spectrometer. This method a...
During early seedling development, the shoot apical meristem is protected from damage as the seed... more During early seedling development, the shoot apical meristem is protected from damage as the seedling emerges from soil by the formation of apical hook. Hook formation requires differential growth across the epidermis below the meristem in the hypocotyl. The plant hormones ethylene and auxin play key roles during apical hook development by controlling differential growth. We provide genetic and cell biological evidence for the role of ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1)-GTPase and its effector ARF-guanine-exchange factors (GEF)s of the BFA-inhibited GEF (BIG) family and GNOM in ethylene- and auxin-mediated control of hook development. We show that ARF-GEF GNOM acts early, whereas BIG ARF-GEFs act at a later stage of apical hook development. We show that the localization of ARF1 and BIG4 at the trans-Golgi network (TGN) depends on ECHIDNA (ECH), a plant homolog of yeast Triacylglycerol lipase(TLG2/SYP4) interacting protein Tgl2-Vesicle Protein 23 (TVP23). BIGs together with ECH and ARF1...
Ubiquitin (Ub) signaling is a diverse group of processes controlled by covalent attachment of sma... more Ubiquitin (Ub) signaling is a diverse group of processes controlled by covalent attachment of small protein Ub and polyUb chains to a range of cellular protein targets. The best documented Ub signaling pathway is the one that delivers polyUb proteins to the 26S proteasome for degradation. However, studies of molecular interactions involved in this process have been hampered by the transient and hydrophobic nature of these interactions and the lack of tools to study them. Here, we develop Ub-phototrap (Ub(PT)), a synthetic Ub variant containing a photoactivatable crosslinking side chain. Enzymatic polymerization into chains of defined lengths and linkage types provided a set of reagents that led to identification of Rpn1 as a third proteasome ubiquitin-associating subunit that coordinates docking of substrate shuttles, unloading of substrates, and anchoring of polyUb conjugates. Our work demonstrates the value of Ub(PT), and we expect that its future uses will help define and investi...
In the present work, we have synthesized three dimensional (3D) reduced graphene oxide nanosheets... more In the present work, we have synthesized three dimensional (3D) reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (rGO NSs) containing iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) hybrids (3D Fe3O4/rGO) by one-pot microwave approach. Structural and morphological studies reveal that the as-synthesized Fe3O4/rGO hybrids were composed of faceted Fe3O4 NPs induced into the interconnected network of rGO NSs. The morphologies and structures of the 3D hybrids have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS). The electrochemical studies were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, which demonstrate superior electrochemical performance as supercapacitors electrode application. The specific capacitances of 3D hybrid materials was 455 F g-1 at the scan rate of 8 mV s-1, which is superior to that ...
Tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) a copper-containing monooxygenase, isolated from a fungal isolate Asper... more Tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) a copper-containing monooxygenase, isolated from a fungal isolate Aspergillus niger PA2 was subjected for immobilization onto a composite consisting of chitosan and gelatin biopolymers. The homogeneity of the chitosan-gelatin biocomposite film was characterized by X-ray diffraction analyses. To evaluate immobilization efficiency, chitosan-gelatin-Tyr bio-composite films were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and UV-spectroscopy. The rough morphology of the film led to a high loading of enzyme and it could retain its bioactivity for a longer period. The enzyme adsorbed onto the film exhibited 72% of its activity after 10 days and exhibited good repeatability for up to nine times, after intermittent storage. Moreover, the immobilized enzyme exhibited broader pH and temperature profile as compared to free counterpart. Immobilized enzyme was further evaluated for the synthesis of L-DOPA (2,4-dihydroxy phenylalanine...
Ripening in mango is under a complex control of ethylene. In an effort to understand the complex ... more Ripening in mango is under a complex control of ethylene. In an effort to understand the complex spatio-temporal control of ripening we have made use of a popular N. Indian variety "Dashehari" This variety ripens from the stone inside towards the peel outside and forms jelly in the pulp in ripe fruits. Through a combination of 454 and Illumina sequencing, a transcriptomic analysis of gene expression from unripe and midripe stages have been performed in triplicates. Overall 74,312 unique transcripts with ≥1 FPKM were obtained. The transcripts related to 127 pathways were identified in "Dashehari" mango transcriptome by the KEGG analysis. These pathways ranged from detoxification, ethylene biosynthesis, carbon metabolism and aromatic amino acid degradation. The transcriptome study reveals differences not only in expression of softening associated genes but also those that govern ethylene biosynthesis and other nutritional characteristics. This study could help to d...
Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry, Jan 17, 2016
Circulating lipid components were studied under near-normal tropical conditions (around Lucknow) ... more Circulating lipid components were studied under near-normal tropical conditions (around Lucknow) in 162 healthy volunteers - mostly medical students, staff members and members of their families (103 males and 59 females; 7 to 75y), subdivided into 4 age groups: A (7-20y; N=42), B (21-40y; N=60), C (41-60y; N=35) and D (61-75y; N=25). Blood samples were collected from each subject every 6h for 24h (4 samples). Plasma was separated and total cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, phospholipids and total lipids were measured spectrophotometrically. Data from each subject were analyzed by cosinor. We examined by multiple-analysis of variance how the MESOR (Midline Estimating Statistic Of Rhythm, a rhythm-adjusted mean) and the circadian amplitude of these variables is affected by gender, age, diet (vegetarian vs. omnivore), and smoking status. In addition to effects of gender and age, diet and smoking were found to affect the MESOR of circulating plasma lipid component...
Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (CPAN) is a rare disease that affects small and middle caliber ves... more Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (CPAN) is a rare disease that affects small and middle caliber vessels of the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue and its etiopathology remains yet to be understood. Retrospective review of twenty two cases diagnosed as CPAN and confirmed by skin biopsy over the last 11years was evaluated in our department. We found predominance in white woman, mean age of 39.4years, showing no comorbidities in most of our sample. Mean follow up time was 58months. The most frequent cutaneous manifestations were ulcers, livedo racemosa, subcutaneous nodules, atrophie blanche lesions and purpuras; with lower limbs involvement in all cases, however other areas were also involved. The main regional symptoms were pain and paresthesia, while systemic complaints were absent in the majority of cases. Mononeuritis multiplex was identified in a quarter of our sample. Most of the laboratory findings were non-specific. There was evidence for previously contact with Mycobacterium t...
Monocyte-derived cells use an extracellular, acidic, lytic compartment (a lysosomal synapse) for ... more Monocyte-derived cells use an extracellular, acidic, lytic compartment (a lysosomal synapse) for initial degradation of large objects or species bound to the extracellular matrix. Akin to osteoclast degradation of bone, extracellular catabolism is used by macrophages to degrade aggregates of LDL similar to those encountered during atherogenesis. However, unlike osteoclast catabolism, the lysosomal synapse is a highly dynamic and intricate structure. In this study, we use high resolution 3-dimensional imaging to visualize compartments formed by macrophages to catabolize aggregated LDL. We show that these compartments are topologically complex, have a convoluted structure and contain sub-regions that are acidified. These sub-regions are characterized by a close apposition of the macrophage plasma membrane and aggregates of LDL that are still connected to the extracellular space. Compartment formation is dependent on local actin polymerization. However, once formed, compartments are ab...
Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics, 2015
Hydrodynamic interactions between a pair of capsules in simple shear are numerically investigated... more Hydrodynamic interactions between a pair of capsules in simple shear are numerically investigated using a front-tracking finite difference method. The membrane of the capsule is modeled using different hyperelastic constitutive relations. We also compare the pair interactions between drops to those between capsules. An increased viscosity ratio leads to a reduced net cross-stream separation between capsules as well as drops after collision. At low viscosity ratios, for the same capillary number drop-pairs show higher cross-stream separation than those for capsule-pairs, while substantially large viscosity ratios result in almost the same value for both cases. We investigate pair-collisions between two heterogeneous capsules C_{1} and C_{2} with two different capillary numbers. The maximum deformation of C_{1} was seen to increase with increasing stiffness (decreasing capillary number) of C_{2}, even though the stiffness of C_{1} was kept fixed. The findings are similar for a drop-pa...
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 2015
Objective— Although dendritic cells are known to play a role in atherosclerosis, few studies have... more Objective— Although dendritic cells are known to play a role in atherosclerosis, few studies have examined the contribution of the wide variety of dendritic cell subsets. Accordingly, their roles in atherogenesis remain largely unknown. We investigated the ability of different dendritic cell subsets to become foam cells after contact with aggregated low-density lipoprotein (LDL; the predominant form of LDL found in atherosclerotic plaques). Approach and Results— We demonstrate that both murine and human monocyte-derived dendritic cells use exophagy to degrade aggregated LDL, leading to foam cell formation, whereas monocyte-independent dendritic cells are unable to clear LDL aggregates by this mechanism. Exophagy is a catabolic process in which objects that cannot be internalized by phagocytosis (because of their size or association with extracellular structures) are initially digested in an extracellular acidic lytic compartment. Surprisingly, we found that monocyte-derived dendriti...
Cisplatin is more often used to treat ovarian cancer (OvCa), which provides modest survival advan... more Cisplatin is more often used to treat ovarian cancer (OvCa), which provides modest survival advantage primarily due to chemo-resistance and up regulated anti-apoptotic machineries in OvCa cells. Therefore, targeting the mechanisms responsible for cisplatin resistance in OvCa cell may improve therapeutic outcomes. We have shown that ovarian cancer cells express CC chemokine receptor-9 (CCR9). Others have also shown that CCL25, the only natural ligand for CCR9, up regulates anti-apoptotic proteins in immature T lymphocytes. Hence, it is plausible that CCR9-mediated cell signals might be involved in OvCa cell survival and inhibition of cisplatin-induced apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the potential role and molecular mechanisms of CCR9-mediated inhibition of cisplatin-induced apoptosis in OvCa cells. Cell proliferation, vibrant apoptosis, and TUNEL assays were performed with or without cisplatin treatment in presence or absence of CCL25 to determine the role of the CCR9-CCL25...
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Papers by Rajesh Singh