Splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) is a low grade, indolent B-cell neoplasm that comprises approximately 10% of all lymphoma. Notch2, a pivotal gene for marginal zone differentiation is found to be mutated in SMZL. Deregulated Notch2 signaling has been involved in tumorigenesis and also in B-cell malignancies. However the role of Notch2 and the downstream pathways that it influences for development of B-cell lymphoma remains unclear. In recent years, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) has become a functional and convincing technology for profiling gene expression and to discover new genes and transcripts that are involved in disease development in a single experiment. In the present study, using transcriptome sequencing approach, we have identified key genes and pathways that are probably the underlying cause in the development of B-cell lymphoma. We have identified a total of 15,083 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 1067 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) between control and Notch2 knockdown B cells. Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment and pathway analysis were applied for the identification of key genes and pathways involved in development of B-cell lymphoma. In addition, intermediate genes of top canonical pathways such as PI3K/AKT and NF-kB were found to be downregulated with Notch2 knockdown, indicating that these pathways could be the putative downstream effectors through which Notch2 mediates its oncogenic effects. Taken collectively, the identified crop of genes and pathways may be considered as targets for the treatment of B-cell lymphoma.

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: The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection is an emerging pandemic that poses severe threat to global public health. This pandemic started from the Wuhan City of Hubei Province in China, and is speculated to have originated from bats and spread among humans with an unknown intermediate transmitter. The virus binds to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) which are abundantly expressed on various human cells including lung epithelial and intestinal cells, thereby entering into these cells and cause infection. It is transmitted to other humans through airborne droplets from the infected patients. Presently there are no specific treatments or vaccines that are available to curtail the spread of this disease. There are few indirect reports that explain the potential importance of the mandated BCG vaccine as a protective factor against COVID-19. There is a speculation that, a live attenuated vaccine (BCG vaccine) can be beneficial against COVID-19 to develop the initial immune response, and can also spread in the community thereby boosting herd immunity to fight against COVID-19. This review summarizes the conclusions of various reports on BCG vaccine, and is an attempt to establish BCG-vaccination mediated herd immunity as an effective instant intermediate approach in curbing COVID-19 spread in highly populous countries.

- After the declaration of the pandemic in March 2020, Governments around the world made social distancing a mandatory rule to practice to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection (covid-19). This action has impacted our lives in several ways, it can be stated that it might also have an impact on skin conditions or lead to skin conditions. The purpose of this survey was to assess if individuals practicing social distancing have experienced any dermatological changes. An online survey consisting of 16 questions was conducted to find out if the prolonged practice of social distancing has led to any skin conditions. 39.7 %( n=93) of individuals who took the survey stated that they have observed changes in their skin, hair, and nails, they stated that these skin changes were observed post-pandemic (p=0.00037). 33.8% (n=79) of participants stated that they are experiencing hair loss and 4.7% (n=11) of individuals noted to have observed vertical lines in their nails. Along with several factors like changes in the skincare routine, diet changes, mood changes, wearing masks, and excessive sanitization, the practice of social distancing has shown to impact changes in dermatological conditions in the pandemic. These conditions can be prevented with the right precautionary measures and can be treated under the care of a dermatologist while still practicing social distancing.