Role of Ocimum sanctum as a Genoprotective Agent on Chlorpyrifos-Induced Genotoxicity

Protective effect of Ocimum sanctum was evaluated on chlorpyrifos-induced genotoxicity in in vivo and in vitro models. Two different concentrations of pesticide were taken, i.e., 1/5 and 1/15 of LD(50) of chlorpyrifos for the in vivo study. Rats were pre-treated orally with O. sanctum extract (OE) at 50 mg/kg b.wt. For the in vitro studies, human lymphocyte cultures were exposed to 75 μg/ml chlorpyrifos with and without OE. Structural and numerical (both aneuploidy and euploidy types) chromosomal aberrations (CAs) were scored for the assessment of induced genotoxic effects, while the variation in mitotic index (MI) was considered as a monitor for induced cellular toxicity. The same concentration of the pesticide (75 μg/ml) was taken to study the DNA damage by comet assay. Results showed that lymphocytes treated with the pesticide exhibited increased DNA damage but the increase was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). In rats pretreated with OE, a significant (P<0.01) increase in MI was observed and there was a significant decrease in the frequency of aberrant cells as compared to the rats treated with chlorpyrifos alone. A significant (P<0.05) increase in CA was observed in cultures treated with 75 μg/ml chlorpyrifos as compared to controls, which decreased significantly (P<0.05) with OE pretreatment.     

Development of enzyme-controlled colonic drug delivery using amylose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose: optimization by factorial design

The aim of the present study is to develop colon-targeted drug delivery systems for diclofenac sodium which release the drug specifically and instantly at target site using amylose as a carrier. Coating formulations were designed based on the full factorial design. The evaluated responses were lag time prior to drug release and T90. Compression-coated tablets of diclofenac sodium containing various proportions of amylose and HPMC were prepared. In vitro drug release studies were done by changing pH method with enzyme. In vivo studies were done to confirm the potential of formulation to release the drug at target site. The dissolution data revealed that the ratio of polymers is very important to achieve optimum formulation. Results showed that the tablet prepared according to the above formulation released drug instantly at pH 6.8 (simulating colonic pH). An in vivo study shows that optimized formulation disintegrated in the target region. The results of this study revealed that factorial design is a suitable tool for optimization of coating formulations to achieve colon delivery. It was shown that coating formulation consisting of amylose 285 mg and HPMC 150 mg coating has the potential for colonic delivery of diclofenac sodium irrespective of change in pH in a patient with IBD.     

Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica in Bikaner, India: parasite identification and characterization using molecular and immunologic tools

Identification of new foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), along with reports of Leishmania donovani causing the disease, is an issue of concern. Clinico-epidemiologic analysis of 98 cases in the endemic regions of Rajasthan state, India, suggested the preponderance of infection in men (62.24%) compared with women (37.75%). Species characterization by internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), kDNA-PCR, and immunofluorescence assay established L. tropica as the causative organism. When applied directly to 32 clinical samples, kDNA PCR had a sensitivity of 96.6%, whereas ITS1 PCR had a sensitivity of 82.75%, thus facilitating diagnosis and species identification. Either parasite culture or direct microscopy alone detected 48.2% and 65.5% of the positive samples, respectively, whereas culture and microscopy together improved overall sensitivity to 89.3% (25/28). Except for the kDNA PCR, all other assays were 100% specific. This study provides the first comprehensive molecular and immunologic studies of CL in India.     

Viral hepatitis elimination challenges in low- and middle-income countries—Uzbekistan Hepatitis Elimination Program (UHEP)

Background & Aims

Chronic infection with hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV & HCV) is a major contributor to liver disease and liver-related mortality in Uzbekistan. There is a need to demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale simplified testing and treatment to implement a national viral hepatitis elimination program.

Methods

Thirteen polyclinics were utilized to screen, conduct follow-up biochemical measures and treat chronic HBV and HCV infection in the general adult population. Task shifting and motivational interviewing training allowed nurses to provide rapid screening and general practitioners (GPs) to treat individuals on-site. An electronic medical system tracked individuals through the cascade of care.

Results

The use of rapid tests allowed for screening of 60 769 people for HCV and HBV over 6 months and permitted outdoor testing during the COVID-19 pandemic along with COVID testing. 13%–14% of individuals were lost to follow-up after the rapid test, and another 62%–66% failed to come in for their consultation. One stop testing and treatment did not result in a statistically increase in retention and lack of patient awareness of viral hepatitis was identified as a key factor. Despite training, there were large differences between GPs and patients initiating treatment.

Conclusions

The current study demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale general population screening and task shifting in low- and middle-income countries. However, such programs need to be proceeded by awareness campaign to minimize loss to follow up. In addition, multiple trainings are needed for GPs to bolster their skills to talk to patients about treatment.     

Long-term effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in morbidly obese subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BackgroundLaparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is becoming popular as a stand-alone procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity and related diseases. This retrospective study presents the outcomes of LSG with regard to weight loss and improvement in co-morbidities and quality of life (QOL) at the end of 3 years after surgery in a tertiary care hospital in Pune, India.MethodsA total of 23 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (6 men and 17 women) with morbid obesity (mean body mass index 40.7 ± 6.6 kg/m²) who had undergone LSG from 2004 to 2005 were selected for the present analysis. The percentage of excess weight loss and changes in co-morbidity status and QOL at the end of 3 years were calculated. The patients were simultaneously evaluated using the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System scores. P values <.05 were considered significant.ResultsAt 36 months after surgery, the percentage of excess weight loss was 74.58%, a significant number of patients (16 of 23, P <.05) had had improvement in all co-morbidities, and 7 showed improvement in ≥1 co-morbidity. All patients indicated improvement in their QOL but not equally for all parameters included in the questionnaire. The Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System score was good in 4, very good in 4, and excellent in 15 of the 23 patients.ConclusionOur data have shown that LSG is a highly effective and safe procedure for achieving weight loss, improving co-morbidities, and improving the QOL in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and morbid obesity during a long-term period.     

Production of carbohydrases by Sclerotium rolfsii.

Coproduction of alpha-amylase, beta-amylase, amyloglucosidase, cellulase, xylanase, pectinase and beta-galactosidase by Sclerotium rolfsii was studied on various polysaccharides. Starch induced alpha-amylase, beta-amylase, amyloglucosidase and beta galactosidase; cellulose induced cellulase, xylanase, pectinase and beta-galactosidase; and pectin induced pectinase and beta-galactosidase. None of the enzymes studied except beta-galactosidase were induced on xylan. Group controlled mechanism for production of carbohydrases by Sclerotium rolfsii is suggested.     

Circulating nitric oxide and C-reactive protein levels in Indian kala azar patients: correlation with clinical outcome

Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and nitric oxide (NO) are the major players of the host defense against Leishmania. In the present study circulating levels of IFN-gamma, NO, interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared in kala azar (KA), post-kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and healthy controls. A significantly elevated level of these parameters was evident in KA compared to PKDL or control. Further, significantly elevated levels of IFN-gamma, NO and CRP were observed in sodium antimony gluconate (SAG) unresponsive cases compared to responsive cases. In PKDL cases, NO was significantly elevated while other parameters were comparable to control. At post-treatment stage, KA patients showed a significant decrement in all the parameters, however, IL-6 and CRP remained above control level. Hence, data implies that the parasites survive in spite of the presence of effector molecules, and the excessive release of IFN-gamma and NO could be associated with the progression of the disease.     

BORIS,a novel male germ-line-specific protein associated with epigenetic reprogramming events,shares the same 11-zinc-finger domain with CTCF,the insulator protein involved in reading imprinting marks in the soma

CTCF, a conserved, ubiquitous, and highly versatile 11-zinc-finger factor involved in various aspects of gene regulation, forms methylation-sensitive insulators that regulate X chromosome inactivation and expression of imprinted genes. We document here the existence of a paralogous gene with the same exons encoding the 11-zinc-finger domain as mammalian CTCF genes and thus the same DNA-binding potential, but with distinct amino and carboxy termini. We named this gene BORIS for Brother of the Regulator of Imprinted Sites. BORIS is present only in the testis, and expressed in a mutually exclusive manner with CTCF during male germ cell development. We show here that erasure of methylation marks during male germ-line development is associated with dramatic up-regulation of BORIS and down-regulation of CTCF expression. Because BORIS bears the same DNA-binding domain that CTCF employs for recognition of methylation marks in soma, BORIS is a candidate protein for the elusive epigenetic reprogramming factor acting in the male germ line.