Design, development and characterization of a chimeric protein with disulfide reductase and protease domain showing keratinase activity.

Keratin is one of the major components of solid waste, and the degradation products have extensive applications in various commercial industries. Due to the complexity of the structure of keratin, especially the disulfide bonds between keratin polypeptides, keratinolytic activity is efficient with a mixture of proteins with proteases, peptidases, and oxidoreductase activity. The present work aimed to create an engineered chimeric protein with a disulfide reductase domain and a protease domain connected with a flexible linker.

Unlocking the versatility of nitric oxide in plants and insights into its molecular interplays under biotic and abiotic stress.

In plants, nitric oxide (NO) has become a versatile signaling molecule essential for mediating a wide range of physiological processes under various biotic and abiotic stress conditions. The fundamental function of NO under various stress scenarios has led to a paradigm shift in which NO is now seen as both a free radical liberated from the toxic product of oxidative metabolism and an agent that aids in plant sustenance. Numerous studies on NO biology have shown that NO is an important signal for germination, leaf senescence, photosynthesis, plant growth, pollen growth, and other processes.

Diagnosis of Paediatric Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis by the MPT64 Antigen at a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Background Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health concern, with India bearing a substantial burden. Paediatric TB, especially extrapulmonary TB (EPTB), presents unique diagnostic challenges due to its paucibacillary nature and the difficulty in obtaining suitable samples in children. Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial to initiate appropriate treatment and mitigate disease spread.

Effectiveness of high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) versus bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) in preventing tracheal reintubation in patients with high risk of extubation failure in intensive care unit - A randomised comparative trial.

Background And Aims: The incidence of tracheal extubation failure in high-risk patients is higher, and non-invasive ventilation is suggested to avoid tracheal reintubation. This study compares the effectiveness of bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) and high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) to reduce the rate of reintubation in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with increased risk of extubation failure.

Methods: This randomised comparative trial was conducted on 60 high-risk patients on mechanical ventilators admitted to the ICU, ready for weaning after a spontaneous breathing trial.

Ayush [Indian System of Medicines] Prophylaxis Against COVID-19: A Living Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Second Update).

Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) system of medicine has been extensively used in India for the prevention and management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present report is the second update of a living systematic review and meta-analysis and has been intended to assess the preventive potential and safety of Ayush drugs against COVID-19. A search of databases such as PubMed, the Cochrane central register of controlled trials, the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 database, the clinical trial registry-India, the AYUSH research portal, and preprint repositories was performed till March 1, 2023.

Comparative Evaluation of Broth Microdilution With Disc Diffusion and VITEK 2 for Susceptibility Testing of Colistin on Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria.

Background The rise of antibiotic resistance, particularly in Gram-negative bacteria, poses a significant global health threat. Colistin, a last-resort antibiotic, has witnessed renewed use. However, accurate susceptibility testing for colistin is challenging, with various methods available, leading to potential discrepancies.

Case Report: An Atypical Case of Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis with Ulcers and Verrucous Lesions: Clinical and Therapeutic Implications.

About 75% cases of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) occur in India. Although the classic description of PKDL is the progression from initial hypopigmented macular lesions to papules to plaques and nodular lesions, atypical morphologies are also seen and are easily missed or misdiagnosed. We report a case of a 27-year-old man who presented to us with multiple acral ulcers and verrucous lesions for 5 years.

Identification of Fungal Isolates in Patients With Pulmonary Tuberculosis Treated at a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Introduction Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) has long been associated with opportunistic fungal infections and could prove lethal if these fungal infections are not detected in the early stages of tuberculosis. TB patients are mostly immunocompromised, and an association with a fungal infection fuels each other, thus decreasing host immunity and making it difficult to treat. Extensive use of antibiotics and steroids has resulted in increasing trends of these fungal infections globally.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as electrochemical sensors for the efficient detection of pharmaceutical residues.

Pharmaceutical residues are the undecomposed remains from drugs used in the medical and food industries. Due to their potential adverse effects on human health and natural ecosystems, they are of increasing worldwide concern. The acute detection of pharmaceutical residues can give a rapid examination of their quantity and then prevent them from further contamination.

AYUSH (Indian System of Medicines) Therapeutics for COVID-19: A Living Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (First Update).

In India, alternative and complementary therapies (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy [AYUSH] medicines) are extensively utilized in COVID-19 management, and some were investigated clinically. This study assessed the effectiveness of AYUSH therapeutic on COVID-19 through a living systematic review and meta-analysis approach. Databases like PubMed; the Cochrane central register of controlled trials; WHO COVID-19 database; the central trial registry-India; Digital Helpline for Ayurveda Research Articles and AYUSH research portal, and preprint repositories were searched till August 1, 2021.

Impact of AYUSH interventions on COVID-19: a protocol for a living systematic review and meta-analysis.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created a great burden on governments and the medical fraternity globally. Many clinical studies from the Indian system of Traditional Medicines [Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH)] have been carried out to find appropriate solutions. Through a living systematic review and meta-analysis, this study aims to determine the effectiveness of the Traditional System of Indian Medicine (AYUSH system) in lowering the incidence, duration, and severity of COVID-19.

Downregulation of PTEN Promotes Autophagy Concurrent Reduction in Apoptosis in Cardiac Hypertrophy in PPAR α Mice.

Cardiac hypertrophy is characterized by an increase in the size of the cardiomyocytes which is initially triggered as an adaptive response but ultimately becomes maladaptive with chronic exposure to different hypertrophic stimuli. Prolonged cardiac hypertrophy is often associated with mitochondrial dysfunctions and cardiomyocyte cell death. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPAR α), which is critical for mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid oxidation, is down regulated in hypertrophied cardiomyocytes.

Microbial CO fixation and biotechnology in reducing industrial CO emissions.

The rapid acceleration in emissions of inevitably generated CO due to numerous activities mainly anthropogenic have devastating environmental effects leading to climatic concerns. Hence, significant, sustainable approaches should be developed for reduction of CO emission targets, balancing the existing needs of the current population. Biological carbon acquisition, storage and usage are considered crucial alternative strategies in assimilating inorganic carbon, manifested by diverse variety of microorganisms.

Role of Ayurveda treatment in the management of hepatitis B ()- A case report.

Hepatitis B is one of the most common causes of liver disease, and due to unawareness of the safety measures, more prone to spread. As per the World Health Organization, for the South East Asia region, its prevalence is 2%. Yellowish discoloration of the eyes, body, and urine, abdominal discomfort, and vomiting is its cardinal symptoms.

Case Report: Rapid Response to Low-Dose Thalidomide in a Case of Severe Steroid Recalcitrant Erythema Nodosum Leprosum.

Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), or type 2 lepra reaction, presents with crops of evanescent, tender erythematous nodules accompanied by fever, arthralgia, malaise and organ-specific manifestations and is seen in borderline and lepromatous leprosy. The drugs approved for ENL include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, systemic steroids, thalidomide and clofazimine. The management of ENL is challenging because long-term steroid use leads to steroid dependence.