Dendritic cells (DCs), the most prevalent antigen-presenting cell in vivo, had been widely characterized in the last three decades. DCs are present in almost all tissues of the body and play cardinal roles in recognition of microbial agents, autoantigens, allergens and alloantigen. DCs process the microbial agents or their antigens and migrate to lymphoid tissues to present the antigenic peptide to lymphocytes. This leads to activation of antigen-specific lymphocytes. Initially, it was assumed that DCs are principally involved in the induction and maintenance of adaptive immune responses, but now it is evident that DCs also have important roles in innate immunity. These features make DCs very good candidates for therapy against various pathological conditions including malignancies. Initially, DC-based therapy was used in animal models of cancers. Data from these studies inspired considerable optimism and DC-based therapies was started in human cancers 8 years ago. In general, DC-based therapy has been found to be safe in patients with cancers, although few controlled trials have been conducted in this regard. Because, the fundamentals principles of human cancers and animal models of cancers are different, the therapeutic efficacy of the ongoing regime of DC-based therapy in cancer patients is not satisfactory. In this review, we covered the various aspects that should be considered for developing better regime of DC-based therapy for human cancers.
Animals ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; transplantation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; immunology ; therapy ; Vaccination ; methods

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a common and most neglected complication of diabetes, estimated to be roughly 8% in recently diagnosed patients and greater than 50% in patients with chronic disease history. The insulin resistance (IR) itself is bidirectionally associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and CAN is a predisposing factor. The primary objective of the present study was aimed to find a correlation of triglyceride glucose index (TyG index) in CAN patients along with the prevalence of CAN in T2DM patients as a secondary objective. This prevalence study was conducted on 202 patients visiting the diabetic clinic of Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jamia Hamdard (HIMSR) teaching hospital in New Delhi, India who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The Ewings autonomic function test was used for diagnosis of CAN. TyG index was calculated for patients based on fasting levels of glucose and triglyceride. The CAN was diagnosed in 62 participants out of 202 T2DM patients (overall prevalence 30.7%). The mean ± standard deviation (SD) for TyG index was 10.3 ± 0.2 and 9.5 ± 0.2 in CAN positive, T2DM patients, respectively. The difference of TyG index, in CAN positive and T2DM patients, was highly significant (P < 0.001). Further correlation analysis was performed to find an association of TyG index, duration, and age with patient groups. TyG index showed a positive correlation with heart rate during deep breathing (HRD), heart rate variation during standing (HRS), blood pressure (BP) response to handgrip and BP response to standing. Our finding highlights the TyG index, low-cost IR index, might be useful as an alternative tool for the early screening of patients at a high risk of diabetic neuropathy.
Blood Pressure ; Causality ; Chronic Disease ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; Diagnosis ; Fasting ; Glucose* ; Heart Rate ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; India ; Insulin Resistance ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; Respiration ; Triglycerides*

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a known risk factor for diabetes mellitus (DM). The rising prevalence of GDM in the Asian population (11.7%) may explain the increasing incidence of DM in women. This study examined the prevalence of GDM, its associated factors and the foeto-maternal outcomes of women with GDM in Terengganu. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and September 2019 using secondary data from antenatal records in 40 health clinics in Terengganu for 2018. All pregnant women aged 25 years and above with or without risk factors for GDM were included in the study. Those with pre-existing type 1 or 2 DM were excluded. A total of 270 respondents were included. The prevalence of GDM and its associated factors were determined using descriptive statistics followed by multiple logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of GDM in Terengganu was 27.3% (n=72). Logistic regression analysis found that BMI at booking (adjusted OR=4.51, 95% CI 2.13–9.55, p<0.001), history of GDM (adjusted OR=5.31, 95% CI 2.17–12.99, p<0.001) and family history of DM (adjusted OR=4.24, 95% CI 2.23–8.05, p<0.001) were the significant associated risk factors. Of women with GDM, 17.7% (n=11) had postpartum pre-diabetes based on modified oral glucose tolerance at 6 weeks postpartum. Univariate analysis using chi-square tests showed a significant association of neonatal jaundice and hypoglycaemia with GDM. Conclusion Because the prevalence of GDM in Terengganu is high, surveillance of GDM in highrisk pregnancies and effective glycaemic management should be emphasised to prevent adverse foeto-maternal outcomes.
Diabetes, Gestational ; Risk Factors

Objective To investigate the presence of different phytoconstituents in Mangifera indica (M. indica) peel and evaluate its cytotoxicity to Artemia salina and hypoglycemic potential in Swiss albino mice. Methods The methanolic extract of M. indica peel was used to determine the presence of phytoconstituents. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay method was followed to determine the cytotoxic potential of plant extract. In the case of hypoglycemic activity, oral administration of extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg and standard glibenclamide at 10 mg/kg was done, followed by determining the percentage of reduction of plasma glucose from the initial level. Results The methanolic extract of M. indica peel showed the presence of flavonoid, saponin, steroid, tannins, terpenoids, glycosides and alkaloids. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the LC