R Suresh

Suppressed Type 1, Type 2, and Type 17 Cytokine Responses in Active Tuberculosis in Children

ABSTRACT Type 1 cytokine responses are known to play an important role in immunity to tuberculosis (TB) in children, although little is known about other factors that might be important. In addition, children are more prone to developing extrapulmonary manifestations of TB than adults. To identify the immune responses important both in control of infection and in extrapulmonary dissemination, we examined mycobacterium-specific cytokine responses of children with pulmonary TB (PTB) and extrapulmonary TB (ETB) and compared them with those of healthy control children (HC). No significant differences were found in the cytokine responses either with no stimulation or following mycobacterial-antigen (Ag) stimulation between children with PTB and ETB. On the other hand, children with active TB compared with HC showed markedly diminished production of type 1 (gamma interferon [IFN-γ] and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]), 2 (interleukin 4 [IL-4] and IL-13), and 17 (IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-23)-associated cytokines with no stimulation and in response to mycobacterial antigens. This was not associated with significantly altered production of IL-10 or transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Among children with ETB, those with neurologic involvement exhibited more significantly diminished Ag-driven IFN-γ and IL-17 production. Pediatric TB is characterized by diminished type 1, 2, and 17 cytokine responses, with the most profound diminution favoring development of neurologic TB, suggesting a crucial role for these cytokines in protection against pediatric tuberculosis.

Pairing of intelligent design concept method and Kano model for product development

Abstract The deployment of scientific approach to customers’ voice by means of customer science to achieve a good product development process. This model means implementing Customer Kano Model for turning the design perception into a precise knowledge as more creative activities from the hidden knowledge of designing using statistical science. The model has been applied to product design process and the results obtained are shown. An application of Kano CAGE model has further given the option of customer centric evaluations and which leads to an optimum product development process. A concept is arrived at and importance is given to Kano model.

Effect of Temperature on the Morphology and Optical Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles Prepared by Forced Condensation Method

Intensive and innovative research is focused on the preparation of various nanostructured materials especially nanostructured metal oxides as applicable to number of applications.The present work mainly emphasis a single step synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles by employing surfactant free forced condensation method. Surface morphology of the sample was precisely controlled by varying the calcination conditions. Investigation on the structure, surface and composition of ZnO nanoparticles is of both fundamental interest and technological importance. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reviled that the ZnO nanoparticles exhibits crystalline with the preferential orientation along (1 0 0) plane. SEM image shows the nanoparticles are in the range of 75 to 150 nm with spherical shape. The room temperature PL spectra of ZnO particles exhibited strong ultraviolet photoluminescence around 380 nm at room temperature.