A case of giant aneurysm following percutaneous coronary intervention

The incidence of restenosis has significantly reduced following introduction of drug-eluting stents. However. complications i.e. subacute thrombosis and aneurysm formation may be higher with these stents. We report a case of giant aneurysm formation following drug-eluting stent implantation.     

Total synthesis of landomycins Q and R and related core structures for exploration of the cytotoxicity and antibacterial properties

Herein, we report the total synthesis of landomycins Q and R as well as the aglycone core, namely anhydrolandomycinone and a related core analogue. The synthesis features an acetate-assisted arylation method for construction of the hindered B-ring in the core component and a one-pot aromatization–deiodination–denbenzylation procedure to streamline the global functional and protecting group manuipulation. Subsequent cytotoxicity and antibacterial studies revealed that the landomycin R is a potential antibacterial agent against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Herein, we report the total synthesis of landomycins Q and R as well as the aglycone core, namely anhydrolandomycinone and a related core analogue.     

Spread of human immunodeficiency virus 1 among men who have sex with men is emerging as a genuine social concern and affecting the general populace - case reports from Eastern India

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) has increased to a drastic proportion throughout India in the last couple of years due to a lack of productive identification and management framework. In apprehension of social disgrace these men attempt to live a normal hetero conjugal life and, in the process, act as a bridge in spreading the virus to their women partners. In this case report we have highlighted two cases which clearly distinguished the adequacy of HIV treatment among MSM when they are diagnosed during early or late phases of infection. An intensive and ample counseling to comprehend the psychology and sexual behavior of these men was found to be critically important in both the cases. Our study, which is actually the first of its kind, recorded and documented evidence of HIV infected MSM from Eastern India and renders a ray of hope among this marginally isolated group to comprehend the challenges and health risks faced by the MSM population. It also provides a format for the medical practitioners here in managing and treating related cases.     

Profiling and Hormonal Therapy for Acne in Women

Acne vulgaris is the most common condition treated by physicians worldwide. Though most acne patients remit spontaneously, for the ones that do not or are unresponsive to conventional therapy or have obvious cutaneous signs of hyperandrogenism, hormonal therapy is the next option in the therapeutic ladder. It is not strictly indicated for only those patients who have cutaneous or biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenism, but can be used even without any evidence of hyperandrogenism, for therapy-resistant acne. It can be prescribed as monotherapy, but when used in combination with other conventional therapies, it may prove to be more beneficial. Hormonal evaluation is a prerequisite for hormonal therapy, to identify the cause behind hyperandrogenism, which may be ovarian or adrenal. This article reviews guidelines for patient selection and the various available hormonal therapeutic options, their side-effect profile, indications and contraindications, and various other practical aspects, to encourage dermatologists to become comfortable prescribing them.     

Protein‐Mimicking Functions of Nano‐Size Monoamido Amino Acids Derived from Polysaccharides of Marine Origin

Polysaccharides of marine origin, for example, agarose (Ag) and alginic acid (Alg)‐based new nano‐size monoamido amino acid derivatives are synthesized and their protein‐like characteristics are evaluated. Two new agarose‐based nanosize amino acid derivatives are obtained by partial amidation of agarose succinate half‐ester (Ag‐SA; DS 0.95) employing aliphatic acyclic and cyclic diamines, for example, 1,6‐hexamethylenediamine (HDA) and trans‐1,4‐cyclohexanediamine (CHDA), named Ag‐SA‐hexamethylene‐monoamido (AEAm) and Ag‐SA‐cyclohexanemonoamido (AECAm) amines (DSs 0.47, 0.35), recording isoelectric points (pIs) 7.9 and 6.4, respectively. Alginic acid, extracted from the Indian seaweed species, Sargassum tenerrimum, is functionalized with ethylene diamine (EDA) affording a nanosize alginic‐acid‐based monoamido amino acid (Alg‐EDA; DS 0.47; pI 3.40). All of these three nanosize monoamido amino acids (DLS; (nm) AEAm 0.65, 80.9; AECAm 0.65, 7.54, and 107.4; Alg‐EDA 0.89, 2.0, 50, and 61.0) exhibit protein‐mimicking functions interacting with Salman testes DNA and bovine serum albumin (BSA), displaying different complexation and decomplexation profiles in a varying pH regime. These nanobody polysaccharide‐based protein‐like large molecules may be of potential utility in the domains of pH‐responsive drug delivery, separations as well as chiral sensing applications.     

The pathophysiological and immunological background of the monkeypox virus infection: An update

In addition to the COVID-19 waves, the globe is facing global monkeypox (MPX) outbreak. MPX is an uncommon zoonotic infection characterized by symptoms similar to smallpox. It is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), a double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus (OPXV). MPXV, which causes human disease, has been confined to Africa for many years, with only a few isolated cases in other areas. Outside of Africa, the continuing MPXV outbreak in multiple countries in 2022 is the greatest in recorded history. The current outbreak, with over 10 000 confirmed cases in over 50 countries between May and July 2022, demonstrates that MPXV may travel rapidly among humans and pose a danger to human health worldwide. The rapid spread of such outbreaks in recent times has elevated MPX to the status of a rising zoonotic disease with significant epidemic potential. While the MPXV is not as deadly or contagious as the variola virus that causes smallpox, it poses a threat because it could evolve into a more potent human pathogen. This review assesses the potential threat to the human population and provides a brief overview of what is currently known about this reemerging virus. By analyzing the biological effects of MPXV on human health, its shifting epidemiological footprint, and currently available therapeutic options, this review has presented the most recent insights into the biology of the virus. This study also clarifies the key potential causes that could be to blame for the present MPX outbreak and draw attention to major research questions and promising new avenues for combating the current MPX epidemic.     

Fluoride-induced histopathology and synthesis of stress protein in liver and kidney of mice

Selective low (15 mg sodium fluoride (NaF)/L) and relatively high (150 mg NaF/L) doses of in vivo fluoride (F) treatment to Swiss albino mice through drinking water elicited organ-specific toxicological response. All the F-exposed groups showed severe alterations in both liver and kidney architectures, but there was no significant change in the rate of water consumption and body weight. Vacuolar degeneration, micronecrotic foci in the hepatocytes, and hepatocellular hypertrophy were evident in the mice exposed to low dose (15 mg NaF/L for 30 days) while sinusoidal dilation with enlarged central vein surrounded by deep-blue erythrocytes were preponderant when treated with the same dose for a period of 90 days. Blood filled spaces, disintegration of tubular epithelium, and atrophy of glomeruli were also recorded in the kidney of the same treatment group. Change in reduced glutathione level (GSH), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) production in both liver and kidney, disturbances in liver function, induction of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp 70) expression in kidney and its down regulation in liver were positively correlated with histopathological lesion.     

Metabolic syndrome in South Asians

South Asia is home to one of the largest population of people with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The prevalence of MetS in South Asians varies according to region, extent of urbanization, lifestyle patterns, and socioeconomic/cultural factors. Recent data show that about one-third of the urban population in large cities in India has the MetS. All classical risk factors comprising the MetS are prevalent in Asian Indians residing in India. The higher risk in this ethnic population necessitated a lowering of the cut-off values of the risk factors to identify and intervene for the MetS to prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Some pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions are underway in MetS to assess the efficacy in preventing the diabetes and cardiovascular disease in this ethnic population.     

Impact of Zinc,Vitamins C and D on Disease Prognosis among Patients with COVID-19 in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Vitamin C, (ascorbic acid), vitamin D (cholecalciferol) and zinc (zinc sulfate monohydrate) supplements are important in immunity against coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). However, a limited number of studies have been conducted on the association of vitamins and supplements with the reduced risks of COVID-19 infection. This study aims to evaluate the association of vitamins and supplements as treatment options to reduce the severity of COVID-19. Data were collected from 962 participants from 13 December 2020 to 4 February 2021. The presence of COVID-19 was confirmed by qRT-PCR. The Chi-square test and multivariate regression analyses were conducted. The ratio of uptake of vitamin C:vitamin D:zinc was 1:1:0.95. Uptake of vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc were significantly associated with the reduced risk of infection and severity of COVID-19 (OR: 0.006 (95% CI: 0.03–0.11) (p = 0.004)) and (OR: 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01–0.22) (p = 0.005)). The tendency of taking supplements was associated with the presence of infection of COVID-19 (p = 0.001), age (p = 0.02), sex (p = 0.05) and residence (p = 0.04). The duration of supplementation and medication was significantly associated with reduced hospitalization (p = 0.0001). Vitamins C, D and zinc were not significantly (p = 0.9) associated with a reduced risk of severity when taken through the diet. Hospitalization (p = 0.000001) and access to health facilities (p = 0.0097) were significantly associated with the survival period of the participants. Participants with better access to health facilities recovered early (OR: 6.21, 95% CI 1.56–24.7). This study will add knowledge in the field of treatment of COVID-19 by using vitamins and zinc supplements.