Latest news with #Downsyndrome
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Widely used fungicide found to be driving C. tropicalis infections
Candida tropicalis is an important fungal pathogen in India and many parts of the world. Its infections are associated with a mortality rate of 55-60%. Anti-fungal drugs called azoles, such as fluconazole and voriconazole, are used to treat its infections. But there is a growing concern in medical circles that clinics are seeing an increasing number of infections by strains of C. tropicalis that exhibit high resistance to these drugs. What is driving this alarming increase in drug resistance? A paper published recently in PLoS Biology by researchers from Fudan University in Shanghai has provided the answer. They found that an azole-related fungicide called tebuconazole widely used by farmers and gardeners, and which can accumulate and persist in the environment has driven the increase in azole-resistant C. tropicalis infections seen in clinics. The team also found that tebuconazole-resistant strains exhibited aneuploidy — meaning their chromosome number showed differences from the normal chromosome count for the organism. Such deviation from the normal chromosome complement is known as ploidy plasticity. Deviating from normal ploidy In the human body, most cells have two sets of the genome: thus they are diploid. One set of 23 chromosomes comes via the father's sperm and the other set of 23 from the mother's egg. When we, in turn, make eggs or sperm, a process called meiosis ensures only one set of chromosomes each of the 23 pairs is transmitted to them. Eggs or sperm are the only haploid cells in us — meaning they each have one copy of the genome. When a sperm fertilises an egg to make the zygote, diploidy is restored. The zygote then develops into the baby. On rare occasions, meiosis isn't as efficient and produces sperm or eggs that contain one copy more or one copy less of one or more chromosomes. Such eggs and sperm are said to be aneuploid. Aneuploidy can have serious consequences. A zygote with three copies instead of two of the smallest chromosome leads to the development of Down syndrome. These individuals have delayed development, characteristically aberrant physical features, and mild to moderate intellectual impairment. Aneuploidy for any of the other chromosomes almost invariably ends in prenatal death. In short, humans don't tolerate ploidy plasticity well — nor do most other animals, plants, and fungi, For a long time, C. tropicalis was also thought to be a diploid organism. Thus, finding that in most tebuconazole-resistant strains the ploidy was altered surprised the researchers. Enhanced resistance to anti-fungals The team started with five different C. tropicalis strains that were susceptible to tebuconazole and also to clinically-used fluconazole and voriconazole. They exposed the strains to incrementally more tebuconazole concentrations from 0.125 to 16 micrograms/millilitre in liquid medium, then grew them on tebuconazole-containing semisolid media in Petri plates. Finally, they picked 35 tebuconazole-resistant colonies. All these colonies exhibited cross-resistance to fluconazole and voriconazole. The tebuconazole-resistant strains showed slower growth than their progenitor strains in the absence of antifungals. But in the presence of antifungals, they grew much better. It seems the resistant strains had traded cell growth for antifungal resistance. The researchers found that the ploidy of tebuconazole-resistant strains ranged from haploid to triploid (that is, three copies of the genome). Those identified as diploid or close to diploid were found by more detailed analyses to, in fact, be segmental aneuploids: they carried duplications or deletions of some chromosome segments. The duplicated chromosome segments carried genes whose overexpression was known from other studies to increase resistance to azoles. For example, several TBZ-resistant strains had duplications of a chromosomal segment carrying a gene named TAC1, which encodes a protein that helps the cell to produce more of another protein named the ABC-transporter. The ABC-transporter pumps toxic compounds such as the azoles out of the cell. Conversely, other segmental aneuploids showed haploidisation, that is, deletion of one copy of a segment of another chromosome that carried the HMG1 gene. The overexpression of HMG1 decreased the biosynthesis of a chemical in cell membranes named ergosterol. Previous studies had shown that in budding yeast, HMG1 overexpression led to lower synthesis of ergosterol and a lower resistance to fluconazole — whereas reduced expression of HMG1 stimulated ergosterol synthesis and elevated resistance to fluconazole. Thus, although the aneuploidies created imbalances in the C. tropicalis genome that reduced their growth rate, they enabled the strains to better resist antifungals. The researchers also verified that the strains with altered ploidy were more virulent than the progenitor strains in mice treated with fluconazole. An unanticipated haploid Another unexpected bonus from the new study was the discovery that tebuconazole-resistant strains included stable haploid strains of C. tropicalis. The haploid cells were able to undergo mating. These serendipitous findings now provide researchers a useful tool for future genetic analyses. The researchers recovered a haploid cell from among the tebuconazole-resistant strains generated in the laboratory. They wondered whether any of the 868 C. tropicalis strains recorded in clinical visits around the world might include any haploids (that is, naturally haploid rather than as an abnormality). They examined publicly available genomic sequences of these strains and found that two of them, isolated from Spain, were indeed haploid. In conclusion, the research showed that the reckless use of triazole antifungals in agriculture can unwittingly promote the emergence of pathogenic strains showing cross-resistance to azoles of clinical importance. Further, some of the resistant strains were haploid, like our sperm and egg cells, and could likewise mate and hence be capable of introducing their resistance mechanisms into new genetic backgrounds. This exemplifies the prophetic warning: 'sow the wind, reap the whirlwind'. D.P. Kasbekar is a retired scientist.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
City AIIMS to get CoE status for research on sickle cell anaemia
1 2 Bhubaneswar: AIIMS Bhubaneswar is set to be accorded the status of Centre of Excellence (CoE) for management and research of sickle cell disease (SCD), announced Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram during the World Sickle Cell Awareness Day celebration at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Thursday. "The Centre of Excellence tag will further strengthen AIIMS Bhubaneswar's capabilities in advanced research and quality treatment in sickle cell disease," said Oram. He said the govt is committed to eradicating sickle cell anaemia by 2047. "So far, 5.79 crore people were screened across the country. Among them, 5.55 crore tested negative, 16.38 lakh were identified as carriers, and 2.1 lakh were diagnosed with the disease," he added. AIIMS Bhubaneswar currently treats more than 700 registered SCD patients, over 500 of whom are in the 0 to 19 age group. "The institute offers regular diagnostic services, treatment, and carrier screening, including for extended family members of affected persons," said AIIMS Bhubaneswar executive director Dr Ashutosh Biswas. He said the institute also provides pre-natal diagnostic services to detect conditions like Down syndrome, neural tube defects, thalassaemia, and sickle cell anaemia within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. "If both parents are carriers, there is a 25 per cent chance that the child may be affected," he added. During this visit, Oram toured various facilities of the institute and interacted with SCD patients and their family members. He also participated in a review meeting and a scientific session focused on sickle cell disease. "Facilities at AIIMS Bhubaneswar also include exchange transfusion for patients experiencing stroke or undergoing major surgeries. Furthermore, newborn screening for genetic metabolic disorders such as congenital hypothyroidism and congenital adrenal hyperplasia is actively being carried out," said the national institute in an official statement. Bhubaneswar: AIIMS Bhubaneswar is set to be accorded the status of Centre of Excellence (CoE) for management and research of sickle cell disease (SCD), announced Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram during the World Sickle Cell Awareness Day celebration at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Thursday. "The Centre of Excellence tag will further strengthen AIIMS Bhubaneswar's capabilities in advanced research and quality treatment in sickle cell disease," said Oram. He said the govt is committed to eradicating sickle cell anaemia by 2047. "So far, 5.79 crore people were screened across the country. Among them, 5.55 crore tested negative, 16.38 lakh were identified as carriers, and 2.1 lakh were diagnosed with the disease," he added. AIIMS Bhubaneswar currently treats more than 700 registered SCD patients, over 500 of whom are in the 0 to 19 age group. "The institute offers regular diagnostic services, treatment, and carrier screening, including for extended family members of affected persons," said AIIMS Bhubaneswar executive director Dr Ashutosh Biswas. He said the institute also provides pre-natal diagnostic services to detect conditions like Down syndrome, neural tube defects, thalassaemia, and sickle cell anaemia within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. "If both parents are carriers, there is a 25 per cent chance that the child may be affected," he added. During this visit, Oram toured various facilities of the institute and interacted with SCD patients and their family members. He also participated in a review meeting and a scientific session focused on sickle cell disease. "Facilities at AIIMS Bhubaneswar also include exchange transfusion for patients experiencing stroke or undergoing major surgeries. Furthermore, newborn screening for genetic metabolic disorders such as congenital hypothyroidism and congenital adrenal hyperplasia is actively being carried out," said the national institute in an official statement.
Pink Villa
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Aamir Khan shuts down 'comeback' tag for Sitaare Zameen Par and his take might surprise you: ‘Lot of actors have 8 to 10 flops…'
Bollywood actor Aamir Khan 's much-awaited film Sitaare Zameen Par is all set to hit screens. The film, also starring Genelia Deshmukh, is being labelled as Aamir's comeback film after Laal Singh Chaddha. However, it didn't sit well with the superstar and he refused the 'comeback' tag very gently. In an interview with News 18, Aamir Khan reacted to Sitaare Zameen Par being called his 'comeback' film and shared, 'Well, I'm not considering it a comeback film, quite honestly. My films usually come out once in three years anyway.' He further added, 'A lot of actors have 8 to 10 flops, but we don't call those comebacks, do we? I've had just one flop, and you're calling it a comeback? I haven't gone anywhere.' In the same interview, the actor shared that he was deeply moved by the script of Sitaare Zameen Par, which he felt naturally carried forward the spirit of Taare Zameen Par. While his 2007 film focused on a child with a learning disability and the importance of inclusion, the new story takes things further by highlighting the lives of children with intellectual disabilities such as autism and Down syndrome. The actor also revealed that the emotional shift in the narrative is the most beautiful thing about the film. This time, it's the neurodivergent children who guide and support the coach, flipping the dynamic seen in his earlier film. According to him, it made the film even more powerful and meaningful. Aamir Khan further shared that the story struck a personal chord with him and felt like a natural spiritual follow-up to Taare Zameen Par. That deep connection is what inspired the makers to name the film Sitaare Zameen Par. For the unversed, Sitaare Zameen Par is the spiritual successor to Aamir's 2007 film Taare Zameen Par. The sports comedy is directed by R. S. Prasanna, and produced by Aamir Khan, Aparna Purohit, and Ravi Bhagchandka. It also stars Genelia Deshmukh, apart from Aamir. It will introduce a fresh ensemble of talent including Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra and Simran Mangeshkar. Penned by Divy Nidhi Sharma, it will hit the theaters on June 20, 2025.
Fashion Value Chain
06-06-2025
- General
- Fashion Value Chain
Asian Paints and St+art India Foundation Mark World Caring Day with ‘Project Udaan'
In a heartfelt celebration of World Caring Day, Asian Paints and the St+art India Foundation launches Project Udaan at Arpan Charitable Trust in Vadodara-an institution that supports and educates children with special needs. As the latest chapter under their St+art Care initiative, the project reimagines the school environment for neurodivergent children with conditions like autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome, through thoughtful use of colour, texture, and material. With interactive, sensory-friendly zones, Project Udaan creates a space that feels safe, engaging, and joyful, honouring the different ways children see, feel, and connect with the world around them. Asian Paints St+art India – Project Udaan, Arpan Charitable Trust interiors Born out of a shared vision between Asian Paints and the St+art India Foundation, St+art Care is a long-term initiative dedicated to making public institutions more inclusive, welcoming, and emotionally responsive through the power of art and design. Project Udaan is the third intervention under this initiative, following a vibrant transformation of a children's hospital in Noida and Project Sparsh at a school for the visually impaired in Rajasthan. Each project reflects a deeper purpose-not just to beautify spaces, but to create impact, spark connection, and start conversations around care, inclusion and empathy. Project Udaan draws inspiration from the butterfly, a symbol of transformation, while also echoing this year's World Caring Day theme, 'Celebrating Every Journey.' At Arpan, the school's play area has been reimagined to bring this vision to life. With Asian Paints' carefully curated textures, colours, and interactive surfaces, a once ordinary space has been transformed into a vibrant environment that both soothes and engages the senses. A soaring butterfly mural on the school's faade now stands as a symbol of hope and possibility, a gentle reminder of the beauty of growth and the limitless potential within every neurodiverse child. Developed through a co-creation process with students, artists, and designers, Project Udaan was led by artists Amrit Khurana and Anikesa Dhing. Drawing from her lived experience with autism, Khurana designed tactile, predictable elements that promote comfort and expression. Dhing complemented this with textured contrasts to encourage calm interaction. A hands-on workshop at Arpan, facilitated by Siddhanth Shah of Access For ALL, gave children the chance to explore textures, tools and colours, ensuring their voices directly shaped the final design. Asian Paints' expertise in material and colour innovation brought the vision to life with Royale Play textures, matte pastel emulsions, and tactile Nilaya fabrics and wallpapers. These elements create an engaging, multi-sensory environment that stimulates exploration while offering grounding. The matte finishes reduce glare for visual ease, while sensory rugs, pompom-textured surfaces, and cocoon-like structures cater to diverse sensory needs. Speaking about the initiative, Amit Syngle, MD & CEO, Asian Paints said, 'At Asian Paints, we believe spaces should do more than exist-they should evolve with their users. Project Udaan under St+art Care reimagines how thoughtful design can create an inclusive environment, where walls invite interaction, and colour provides clarity and comfort. By integrating textures that respond to touch and materials that support sensory needs, we've built a space that adapts to children, rather than the other way around. While we continuously reinvent ourselves to create beautiful homes for our consumers, we extend the same passion and empathy to create beautiful and safe spaces for all, with our partners at St+art India.' Arjun Bahl, Co-founder, St+art India Foundation, added, 'With St+art Care, we extend our vision of making spaces more open, accessible and engaging. Project Udaan transforms art from a decorative element to an interactive experience, creating familiarity and comfort for neurodivergent children. This initiative is about rethinking how creative interventions can transform everyday spaces into something more intuitive and inclusive. At its heart, Udaan embodies ArtForAll, where design is a language that speaks to everyone, regardless of how they see or experience the world.' Project Udaan – A space for neurodivergent individuals by Asian Paints and St+art India Witness the unique Project Udaan by Asian Paints and St+art India in this YouTube video: About Asian Paints Limited Since its founding in 1942, Asian Paints has become India's leading and Asia's second-largest paint company, with a consolidated turnover of Rs. 33,797 crores (Rs. 338 billion). It continues to uplift spaces, transcend the boundaries of colour and design, creating a positive impact on the lives of customers. The organization operates in 14 countries and has 26 paint manufacturing facilities globally, servicing consumers in over 60 countries. Asian Paints has always been a leader in the paint industry, innovating and introducing new concepts in India like Colour Ideas, Beautiful Homes Painting Service, Colour Next, and Asian Paints Beautiful Homes Stores. Asian Paints manufactures a wide range of paints and coatings for Decorative and Industrial use and also offers specialized painting and interior decor solutions. The decorative business portfolio also includes the SmartCare range for waterproofing, WoodTech products for wood finishes, and the Adhesives range for all surfaces. Asian Paints also offers a wide range of Home Dcor products and is one of the leading players in the integrated decor space in India, offering Modular Kitchens and wardrobes, Bath Fittings and Sanitaryware, Decorative Lightings, uPVC windows and doors, Wall coverings, Furnitures, Furnishings, Rugs, etc. About St+art India Since 2014, St+art India Foundation has been working across the country to reimagine public spaces through art, making creativity more accessible and inclusive. In a country where art is often confined to galleries and a select audience, St+art fosters new ways of experiencing art-bringing it into the everyday lives of people and bridging socio-cultural divides. Through art districts, festivals, and public interventions, St+art has transformed urban landscapes across 25+ cities, creating meaningful engagements between communities, artists, institutions, and local governments. Over the last decade, the foundation has facilitated 500+ artist collaborations, producing over 600 murals and installations in India's major cities. These projects have not only revitalized cityscapes but have also provided platforms for cultural exchange, dialogue, and collective expression. With seven art districts and 25+ festivals to its name, St+art continues to champion the idea of ArtForAll, ensuring that art is not just seen but experienced, interacted with, and shared.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Calera program aims to help law enforcement responses
CALERA, Ala. (WIAT) — A new program in Calera aims to help first responders provide better care for the community. The C.A.R.E. Network stands for Calera Awareness and Response for Everyone. A Calera dispatcher designed it to help give better responses to those with mental illnesses and disabilities. 'I've worked at a few different law enforcement agencies, but that's one thing I've always felt was a need was a way that we could communicate and maintain our safety and our relationships with our entire community, including our special needs community,' said Jessica Davis, the brain behind the C.A.R.E. Network. C.A.R.E. gives people in the community the ability to fill out a form for the police and fire departments letting them know of any mental illnesses or disabilities. This includes anything from Alzheimer's disease to autism spectrum disorder to Down syndrome to mobility, hearing, vision and speech impairments. By filling the application out, dispatchers can let police officers and firefighters know exactly what they'll be walking in to. 'It's went further so far than I originally anticipated it to,' Davis said. 'Within an hour and a half [on the first day], I believe, we had over 20 applicants for the program and then now, I've had a few different agencies, other law enforcement agencies, reach out to me about how we went about setting this program up and the things that we're doing now to get it out there and make sure our citizens know about it.' Parties react to Sen. Tommy Tuberville's run for governor of Alabama Calera Police Chief David Hyche was immediately on board with Davis' idea. For him, this program is personal. 'I have a special needs daughter, and I remember when she was younger, a big concern that my wife and I had was that if we had a tragic event happen at our house or in the vehicle, law enforcement or fire services might not know how to communicate with her,' Hyche said. 'She's blind and autistic, so a firefighter in their gear or a police officer, it would be unusual sounds and touch, and the feel and the sound of a firefighter in turnout gear would be like a monster to her.' Hyche said it's voluntary to fill out the C.A.R.E. Network application, and information is kept private in the system. 'The more information we can have here at the police department, the better and the safer for everyone,' he said. 'It's really used just to make it safer for both the officers as well as the families.' Hyche said he's already talked with some lawmakers and hopes to see this program go statewide. 'My daughter was a part of several different organizations, and I've been around a lot of autistic adults and children,' Hyche said. 'I could see how their misinterpretation of signals could be seen by law enforcement as aggressive or hostile, and the law enforcement officer might not know any different. These are absolutely signals that 'I am in danger,' when in reality it might just be the way that the autistic person responds to certain stimuli.' If you would like to be a part of the C.A.R.E. Network, you can fill out an application here or in person at the Calera Police Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
