Comparison of Basal Core Promoter Region Mutation and Precore Mutation among Monoinfected Hepatitis B Virus and Coinfected Hepatitis B Virus with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Patients.

Objectives: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has a partially double-stranded circular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that replicates through reverse transcription, producing an intermediate ribonucleic acid (RNA). This replication process has a high chance of error, leading to several mutations in the genome. According to several studies conducted worldwide, the classical basal core promoter (BCP) double mutation (A to T at nucleotide 1762 and G to A at nucleotide 1764) in the BCP region and the mutation in the precore (PC) region (G to A at nucleotide 1896) of HBV DNA have a strong correlation with advanced liver disease.

Comparative microbial community occurrence pattern, growth attributes, and digestive enzyme indices of Puntius gonionotus (Bleeker, 1850), Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) and Heteropneustus fossilis (Bloch, 1794) under freshwater biofloc based polyculture system.

Background: The biofloc system (BFS) provides a sustainable aquaculture system through its efficient in situ water quality maintenance by the microbial biomass, besides continuous availability of these protein-rich microbes as feed to enhance growth and immunity of the reared organism. This study explores the gill architecture, growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal microbial composition, and histology of three freshwater fish species, Puntius gonionotus, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, and Heteropneustus fossilis reared in biofloc based polyculture system.

Results: The three species in T2 showed significantly higher WG and SGR, followed by T1 and T3.

Integrating computational methods and experimental validation reveals the pharmacological mechanism of (L.) Baker targeting major proteins in breast cancer.

Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic options. The present study employs an integrated approach encompassing network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and validation to investigate the potential of in breast cancer treatment. Initial network pharmacology analysis revealed different potential targets and pathways associated with breast cancer that could be modulated by phytochemical constituents.

MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) in breast cancer: From apoptosis dysregulation to therapeutic opportunities.

Breast cancer, a pervasive and complex disease, continues to pose significant challenges in the field of oncology. Its heterogeneous nature and diverse molecular profiles necessitate a nuanced understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving tumorigenesis and progression. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) has emerged as a crucial player in breast cancer development and progression by modulating apoptosis, a programmed cell death mechanism that eliminates aberrant cells.

Targeting the autophagy-miRNA axis in prostate cancer: toward novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Since prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death, a better understanding of the molecular pathways guiding its development is imperative. A key factor in prostate cancer is autophagy, a cellular mechanism that affects both cell survival and death. Autophagy is essential in maintaining cellular homeostasis.

High-resolution melt curve analysis: An approach for variant detection in the TPO gene of congenital hypothyroid patients in Bangladesh.

TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase) is known to be one of the major genes involved in congenital hypothyroid patients with thyroid dyshormonogenesis. The present study aims to validate high-resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis as a substitute method for Sanger sequencing, focusing on the frequently observed non-synonymous mutations c.1117G>T, c.

First report of Dactylogyrus formosus from India: a case of co-existence with Paradactylogyrus catlaius causing mass mortality in Indian major carp, Catla catla.

The family Dactylogyridae, known for its role as a frequent pathogen in Cyprinids, was identified in a case of mass mortality involving Catla catla fingerlings (measuring 6.5 ± 2.0 cm and weighing 40.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity in SARS-CoV-2 Infected Noncritically Ill Hospitalized Patients.

Objectives: This study determined the baseline hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hormonal levels and their associated factors in noncritically ill hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 91 noncritical RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients (aged 18 to 65 years) recruited consecutively from the COVID unit of two tertiary care hospitals over a period of six months. After the screening, relevant history and physical examinations were done, and blood was drawn between 07:00 am to 09:00 am in a fasting state to measure serum cortisol and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay.

Integrated Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, Molecular Simulation, and In Vitro Validation Revealed the Bioactive Components in Soy-Fermented Food Products and the Underlying Mechanistic Pathways in Lung Cancer.

Globally, lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality, warranting the exploration of novel and effective therapeutic approaches. Soy-fermented food products have long been associated with potential health benefits, including anticancer properties. There is still a lack of understanding of the active components of these drugs as well as their underlying mechanistic pathways responsible for their anti-lung cancer effects.

Public Health Dentistry as a Career Choice - Attitude of Dental Undergraduate Students in Puducherry.

Background: To pursue further education in a particular specialty of dentistry, it is important for dental students to be aware of the "expectation" associated with any specific specialty in dentistry. Therefore students 'attitudes' towards 'expectations' of various specialties, to a large extent enables a meaningful understanding that facilitates appropriate planning in the dental sector for the community.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire based survey was conducted, which included, final year and dental interns studying in two dental institutions, in the State of Puducherry.

Ovarian volume is more closely related to the different manifestations of polycystic ovary syndrome than follicle number per ovary.

Objective: Polycystic ovary (PCO), a diagnostic component of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), requires either an ovarian volume (OV) criterion or a follicle number per ovary (FNPO) criterion. This study investigated the association of OV and FNPO criteria with various manifestations of PCOS.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a university hospital among 100 patients newly diagnosed with PCOS (according to the revised Rotterdam criteria).

Turner Syndrome With Isochromosome Structural Abnormalities: A Case Report.

Turner syndrome (TS) is the most common cause of short stature and delayed puberty in females. Approximately half of the patients have the classic form with a genotype of 45,XO, one-fourth of patients have different mosaic forms, and the remaining one-fourth have structural abnormalities on the X chromosome. Among the structural abnormalities, the most common is isochromosome Xq.

Functional Foods: A Promising Strategy for Restoring Gut Microbiota Diversity Impacted by SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

Natural herbs and functional foods contain bioactive molecules capable of augmenting the immune system and mediating anti-viral functions. Functional foods, such as prebiotics, probiotics, and dietary fibers, have been shown to have positive effects on gut microbiota diversity and immune function. The use of functional foods has been linked to enhanced immunity, regeneration, improved cognitive function, maintenance of gut microbiota, and significant improvement in overall health.

Myxozoan fish diseases: possible treatment and zoonoses.

Myxozoan parasites pose huge threat to wild and cultured fishes and reported to cause heavy mortality, retarded growth and post-harvest quality degradation. It is one of the highly divergent groups of parasites which infects skin, gill, muscle, cartilage and internal organs of host fish and the severity of pathology varies depending on the water temperature, species of fish, site of tissue infection and immune resistance of the individual host. Most infections are difficult to treat, as they can easily evade host cellular and humoral defence mechanisms by proliferating or migrating through immune compromised sites of the host and forming large plasmodia encapsulated by the host cellular elements.

A retrospective analysis of serological & molecular testing data on dengue fever in Kolkata & adjacent districts during 2016-2019.

Background & Objectives: Regional Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory established at ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED) regularly receives samples for dengue screening and serotyping from patients of acute febrile illness (AFI) from Kolkata and adjacent districts. In this study, data over a three year period (August 2016-July 2019) was retrospectively analyzed to provide insight into the epidemiological trends of dengue fever in this region.

Methods: Serological screening of dengue was performed by detection of NS1 antigen and/or immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody.

Biobased Castor Oil-Based Polyurethane Foams Grafted with Octadecylsilane-Modified Diatomite for Use as Eco-Friendly and Low-Cost Sorbents for Crude Oil Clean-Up Applications.

Herein we report the synthesis and characterization of novel castor oil-based polyurethane (PU) foam functionalized with octadecyltrichlorosilane (C18)-modified diatomaceous earth (DE) particles, exhibiting superior hydrophobicity and oil adsorption, and poor water absorption, for use in effective clean-up of crude oil spillage in water bodies. High-performance and low-cost sorbents have a tremendous attraction in oil spill clean-up applications. Recent studies have focused on the use of castor oil as a significant polyol that can be used as a biodegradable and eco-friendly raw material for the synthesis of PU.

Spectral Analysis and Antiulcer Potential of through the Amelioration of Proinflammatory Cytokines and Apoptosis Markers.

The objective of this study was to characterize the bioactive ingredients and antiulcer effects of Lactuca sativa leaves. Several bioactive chemicals were found in the cold methanolic extract of Lactuca sativa leaves after gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) research: 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, cyclononasiloxane, octadecamethyl-, n-hexadecanoic acid, Hexadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl, octadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl ester, 9-octadecenamide, (Z)-, hexadecanoic acid, stigmasterol, benzothiazole, ethyl iso-allocholate, and octacosane. Distinct fingerprint regions in GCMS indicated the existence of bioactive compounds.

Current perspective of adrenal histoplasmosis in India: A prospective study in a tertiary care hospital, Eastern India.

Purpose: Adrenal histoplasmosis (AH) is an uncommon form of disseminated histoplasmosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Though, India is considered to be a non-endemic area for histoplasmosis, a high rise of AH cases is reported currently from various parts of India. Our study aimed to evaluate the current perspective of adrenal histoplasmosis in India by reviewing its clinical course, differential diagnosis, treatment, and mortality of our eleven confirmed cases of AH along with the review of authentic reported AH cases from India.

Why Are Some Male Alcohol Misuse Disorder Patients High Utilisers of Emergency Health Services? An Asian Qualitative Study.

Background: Certain alcohol misuse patients heavily utilise the Emergency Department (ED) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and may present with intoxication or long-term sequelae of alcohol misuse. Our study explored reasons for repeated ED/EMS utilisation and sought to understand perpetuating and protective factors for drinking.

Methods: Face-to-face semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted.

Lipid Accumulation Product Better Predicts Metabolic Status in Lean Polycystic Ovary Syndrome than that by Visceral Adiposity Index.

Background: Both visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP) can be used to assess insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) which are required for management of even lean polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (body mass index [BMI] <23 kg/m).

Aim: This study was aimed to see the magnitude of associations of VAI and LAP with cardiometabolic risk factors including IR and MetS in lean PCOS.

Study Setting And Design: This cross-sectional study was done amongst 62 newly detected lean PCOS patients and 58 age- and BMI-matched healthy controls.

Epidemiology and Antifungal Susceptibility of Candida Species causing Blood Stream Infections: An Eastern India Perspective.

Introduction: Candidemia is the fourth common cause of blood stream infection worldwide leading to increased mortality and morbidity. A paradigm shift of Candida albicans to Non-albicans candida (NAC) had led to the increase in resistance to empirically used antifungals. So, an epidemiological study and antifungal susceptibility is essential for meticulous use of antifungals.

Hydrothermal synthesis of hydroxyapatite-reduced graphene oxide (1D-2D) hybrids with enhanced selective adsorption properties for methyl orange and hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions.

The presence of organic dye molecules and heavy metal ions in water causes ecological and public health problems. Therefore, remediation of water/wastewater contaminated with organic dye molecules and toxic metal ions is of importance. Herein, a reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-hydroxyapatite (Hat) (1D-2D) hybrid composite was fabricated through a hydrothermal process and applied for the adsorption of methyl orange (MO) and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from water.

Risky Riding and Its Correlates in Two-Wheeler Riding Young Men: Pillion Riders' Perspective.

Background: Risky riding is one of the major contributing factors in road fatalities. The present study aimed to explore the risky riding behaviors and its correlates in two-wheeler riding young men, as ascertained from pillion riders' perspective.

Materials And Methods: A survey that captured perspective of pillion riders about two-wheeler riding young men with whom they used to pillion ride most frequently was administered on 115 subjects.