Effect of Physical Violence on Sexually Transmitted Infections and Treatment Seeking Behaviour among Female Sex Workers in Thane District,Maharashtra, India

Background

Violence against sex workers can heighten their vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Evidence suggests the risk of acquiring STI/HIV infections among female sex workers (FSWs) who have experienced violence to be almost three-times higher than FSWs, who have not experienced violence. Moreover, an experience of physical and sexual violence makes it difficult for them to negotiate safer sex with their partners and often act as a barrier to utilization of prevention services.

Methods

This study utilizes data from 2785 FSWs aged 18 years and above who participated in a cross-sectional behavioural study conducted during 2013–14 in Thane district, Maharashtra. A probability-based two-stage cluster sampling method was used for data collection. This study assesses the effect of physical violence on self-reported STI symptoms (any STI and multiple STIs) and treatment seeking for the last STI symptom using propensity score matching method.

Results

About 18% of sampled FSWs reported physical violence at the time of the survey. The likelihood of experiencing such violence was significantly higher among FSWs who solicited clients at public places, engaged in other economic activities apart from sex work, had savings, and reported high client volume per week. FSWs experiencing violence were also inconsistent condom users while engaging in sex with regular partners and clients. The average adjusted effect of violence clearly depicted an increase in the risk of any STI (11%, p<0.05) and multiple STIs (8%, p<0.10) and reduction in treatment seeking (10%, p<0.05).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates a significant effect of physical violence on reporting of any STI symptom and treatment seeking. Findings call for the immediate inclusion of strategies aimed to address violence related challenges in HIV prevention program currently being provided at Thane district. Such strategies would further help in enhancing the access to tailored STI prevention and care services among FSWs in the district.     

CeO2 nanoparticles synthesized through green chemistry are biocompatible: In vitro and in vivo assessment

Widespread use of cerium oxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) is found in almost all areas of research due to their distinctive properties. CeO₂ NPs synthesized via green chemistry have been characterized for antioxidant, phytochemical, and biological potential. Physical characterization through scanning electron microscopy, XRD, and TGA showed that the NPs are circular in shape, 20‐25 nm in size, and stable in a wide range of temperature. NPs display significant antioxidant (32.7% free radical scavenging activity) and antileishmanial (IC₅₀ 48 µg mL^?1) properties. In vitro toxicity tested against lymphocytes verified that NPs are biocompatible (99.38% viability of lymphocytes at 2.5 μg mL^?1). In vivo toxicity experiments showed no harmful effects on rat serum chemistry and histology of various organs and did not even change the concentration of antioxidative enzymes, total protein contents, lipid peroxidation, and nitrosative stress. These observations are in line with the statement that plant‐based synthesis of CeO₂ NPs lessens or nullifies in vitro and in vivo toxicity and hence CeO₂ NPs are regarded as a safe and biocompatible material to be used in drug delivery.     

Blood flow dynamics after photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in the RIF-1 tumor

In the present study, the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin on tumor blood flow and tumor regrowth were compared as verteporfin distributed in different compartments within the RIF-1 tumor. Tissue distribution of verteporfin was examined by fluorescence microscopy, and blood flow measurements were taken with a laser Doppler system. It was found that, at 15 min after drug administration, when verteporfin was mainly confined within the vasculature, PDT induced a complete arrest of blood flow by 6 h after treatment. PDT treatment at a longer drug-light interval (3 h), which allowed the drug to diffuse to the tumor interstitium, caused significantly less flow decrease, only to 50% of the initial flow in 6 h. A histological study and Hoechst 33342 staining of functional tumor vasculature confirmed the primary vascular damage and the decrease in tumor perfusion. The regrowth rate of tumors treated with 15-min interval PDT was 64% of that of the control group. However, when tumors were treated with 3-h interval PDT, the regrowth rate was not significantly different from that of the control, indicating that only the 15-min interval PDT caused serious damage to the tumor vascular bed. These results support the hypothesis that temporal pharmacokinetic changes in the distribution of the photosensitizer between the tumor parenchyma and blood vessels can significantly alter the tumor target of PDT.     

Morpho-physiological investigations in transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) over expressing OsRGLP1 gene

In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant - The OsRGLP1 gene was overexpressed under the control of CaMV 35S promoter in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants using...     

PuraMatrix Encapsulation of Cancer Cells

Increasing evidence suggests that culturing cancer cells in three dimensions more accurately recapitulates the complexity of tumor biology. Many of these models utilize reconstituted basement membrane derived from animals which contain a variable amount of growth factors and cytokines that can influence the growth of these cell culture models. Here, we describe in detail the preparation and use of PuraMatrix, a commercially available self assembling peptide gel that is devoid of animal-derived material and pathogens to encapsulate and propagate the ovarian cancer cell line, OVCAR-5. We begin by describing how to prepare the PuraMatrix prior to use. Next, we demonstrate how to properly mix the PuraMatrix and cell suspension to encapsulate the cells in the hydrogel. Upon the addition of cell culture media or injection into a physiological environment, the peptide component of PuraMatrix rapidly self assembles into a 3D hydrogel that exhibits a nanometer scale fibrous structure with an average pore size of 5-200 nm¹. In addition, we demonstrate how to propagate cultures grown in encapsulated PuraMatrix. When encapsulated in PuraMatrix, OVCAR-5 cells assemble into three dimensional acinar structures that more closely resemble the morphology of micrometastatic nodules observed in the clinic than monolayer in vitro models. Using confocal microscopy we illustrate the appearance of representative OVCAR-5 cells encapsulated in PuraMatrix on day 1, 3, 5, and 7 post plating. The use of PuraMatrix to culture cancer cells should improve our understanding of the disease and allow us to assess treatment response in more clinically predictive model systems.Download video file.^{(85M, mp4)}     

Study of rust resistance genes in wheat germplasm with DNA markers

Wheat is a vital dietary component for human health and widely consumed in the world. Wheat rusts are dangerous pathogens and contribute serious threat to its production. In present study, PCR-Based DNA Markers were employed to check the rust resistance genes among 20 wheat genotypes and 22 markers were amplified. NTSYS-pc 2.2 was used to calculate genetic diversity and Nei and Li''s coefficients ranged from 0.55 to 0.95. Cluster analysis was obtained using UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method of Arithmetic Average) algorithm. Maximum no. of genes (23) was amplified from TW-760010 genotype whereas minimum no of genes (14) were amplified from TW-76005 genotype. The data gained from present study open up new ways to produce new varieties by breeding rust resistant germplasm to avoid the economic and food loss and varieties with improved characteristics.     

Isolation and characterization of a biosurfactant‐producing Fusarium sp. BS‐8 from oil contaminated soil

This study reports characterization of a biosurfactant‐producing fungal isolate from oil contaminated soil of Missa Keswal oil field, Pakistan. It was identified as Fusarium sp. BS‐8 on the basis of macroscopic and microscopic morphology, and 18S rDNA gene sequence homology. The biosurfactant‐producing capability of the fungal isolates was screened using oil displacement activity, emulsification index assay, and surface tension (SFT) measurement. The optimization of operational parameters and culture conditions resulted in maximum biosurfactant production using 9% (v/v) inoculum at 30°C, pH 7.0, using sucrose and yeast extract, as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. A C:N ratio of 0.9:0.1 (w/w) was found to be optimum for growth and biosurfactant production. At optimal conditions, it attained lowest SFT (i.e., 32 mN m^?1) with a critical micelle concentration of ≥ 1.2 mg mL^?1. During 5 L shake flask fermentation experiments, the biosurfactant productivity was 1.21 g L^?1 pure biosurfactant having significant emulsifying index (E₂₄, 70%) and oil‐displacing activity (16 mm). Thin layer chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectrometric analyses indicated a lipopeptide type of the biosurfactant. The Fusarium sp. BS‐8 has substantial potential of biosurfactant production, yet it needs to be fully characterized with possibility of relatively new class of biosurfactants. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:1065–1075, 2014