Toxic Effects of Synthesized Bismuth Oxide/Reduced Graphene Oxide (BiO/RGO) Nanocomposites in Two Distinct Mammalian Cell Lines: Role Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis.

Background: Researchers have shown substantial interest in bismuth oxide/reduced graphene oxide (BiO/RGO) nanocomposites due to their superior features that are not achievable by each material alone. The growing applications and manufacturing of BiO/RGO nanocomposites have raised concerns regarding their potential human health risks. This work was designed to explore the possible toxicity mechanisms of BiO/RGO nanocomposites in two distinct mammalian cell lines, normal rat kidney cells (NRK52E) and human liver cancer cells (HepG2).

Comprehensive cataloging of miR-363 as a therapeutic & non-invasive biomarker of prostate cancer.

Background & objectives Overcoming the challenge of early diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) by exploring molecular biomarkers is urgently needed. With this objective, this study was designed to explore the biomarker and therapeutic potential of miRNA (miR)-363-3p in PCa pathogenesis. Methods Total participants (n=188) were enrolled, and blood and tissue samples were collected from individuals categorized into the control group (n=55), benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) group (n=60), PCa group (n=48), and castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) group (n=25).

The combination of Curcumin and Doxorubicin on targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway: an in vitro and molecular docking study for inhibiting the survival of MDA-MB-231.

Unlabelled: The process of tumorigenesis is highly associated with the disruption of cell-cycle regulators and derangement of various signaling pathways, which end up with the inhibition of apoptosis and hyper-activation of survival pathways. The PI3K medicated AKT/mTOR pathway is the widely explained mechanism for cancer cell survival which causes the overexpression of MDM2 and downregulates the p53-BAX mediated apoptotic pathway. Curcumin (CUR), the phyto-compound, derived from is currently being focused on for its anticancer activities against breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231, not only because of its minimal cytotoxicity against healthy cells (HEK293) but also because it synergistically sensitizes the activity of Doxorubicin (DOXO) in lower doses, which can be a promising source for complementary drug development.

Phytoconstituents of Nymphaea rubra flowers and their anti-diabetic metabolic targets.

Nymphaea rubra (N. rubra) flowers are prevalent in subtropical regions for both dietary and traditional medicinal purposes, attributing to their beneficial properties in supporting overall health. This study first time provides descriptions of the antidiabetic and dyslipidemic properties employing STZ induced high fat diet fed diabetic rats and inhibition of α-amylase enzyme activity first by in vitro analyses, followed by a confirmatory in silico study to create a stronger biochemical rationale.

Regulation of Hypoxia Dependent Reprogramming of Cancer Metabolism: Role of HIF-1 and Its Potential Therapeutic Implications in Leukemia.

Metabolic reprogramming occurs to meet cancer cells' high energy demand. Its function is essential to the survival of malignancies. Comparing cancer cells to non-malignant cells has revealed that cancer cells have altered metabolism.

Automated lead toxicity prediction using computational modelling framework.

Background: Lead, an environmental toxicant, accounts for 0.6% of the global burden of disease, with the highest burden in developing countries. Lead poisoning is very much preventable with adequate and timely action.

Assessment of Blood Lead Level of School Children in 10 Cities of India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: To assess the blood lead level (BLL) of school children in 10 cities of India.

Methods: This multi-centric cross-sectional study enrolled participants from randomly selected schools. Data on demographic details, socioeconomic status (SES) and anthropometric indicators was collected.

Association of dietary intake with micronutrient deficiency in Indian school children: a cross-sectional study.

Adequate nutrition is necessary during childhood and early adolescence for adequate growth and development. Hence, the objective of the study was to assess the association between dietary intake and blood levels of minerals (calcium, iron, zinc, and selenium) and vitamins (folate, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and vitamin D) in urban school going children aged 6-16 years in India, in a multicentric cross-sectional study. Participants were enrolled from randomly selected schools in ten cities.

Berberine ameliorates glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia: an in vitro and in vivo study.

Berberine (BBR), a bioactive compound isolated from Coptidis Rhizoma, possesses diverse pharmacological activities including anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hypolipidemic, and anti-diabetic. However, its role as an anti-diabetic agent in animal models of dexamethasone (Dex)-induced diabetes remains unknown. Studies have shown that natural compounds including aloe, caper, cinnamon, cocoa, green and black tea, and turmeric can be used for treating Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Association between serum interleukin-6, leptin and insulin in gestational diabetes mellitus - a cross- sectional study.

Purpose: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a state of leptin resistance which develops a vicious cycle of hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia leading to aggravation of an inflammatory situation. This study was done to find out the association between IL-6, leptin and insulin in gestational diabetes among North Indian women.

Method: This cross-sectional study included 100 GDM, 100 non-GDM and 50 non-pregnant women.

Micronutrients and cognitive functions among urban school-going children and adolescents: A cross-sectional multicentric study from India.

Background: Micronutrient deficiency (MD) is associated with deficits in cognitive functioning of children. However, no comprehensive multicentric study has been conducted in India to explore the role of multiple MD in cognition of children and adolescents. The present study aimed to explore association of MD with level of general intelligence and specific cognitive functions, in urban school-going children and adolescents across ten cities of India.

A Study of Maternal and Umbilical Cord Blood Lead Levels in Pregnant Women.

Lead is a highly toxic element which can cross the placental barrier and enter the fetus during pregnancy. Parental lead exposure has adverse effect on infant as well as on maternal health. As part of our program to investigate the lead poisoning in human population we investigated the maternal blood lead levels (MBLL) and umbilical cord blood lead (UBLL) levels in 200 pregnant women and collected their socio-demographic details.

Assessment of endocrine disrupting chemicals in breast milk: Association with dietary habits and duration of lactation.

The present study was aimed to assess infant safety associated with the presence of persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in breast milk, a possible route of transfer of endocrine-disrupting chemicals to newborns in North India. Colostrum and breast milk samples (n = 130) were collected at different stages of lactation. Pesticides analysis was performed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Molecular mechanisms underlying hyperglycemia associated cognitive decline.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. DM can lead to a number of secondary complications affecting multiple organs in the body including the eyes, kidney, heart, and brain. The most common effect of hyperglycemia on the brain is cognitive decline.

Assessment of the COL9A1 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism with Severity of clubfoot in a paediatric population along with their biological mothers.

Background: A frequent birth abnormality known as congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) results in severe abnormalities of one or both feet. The risk of CTEV has been shown to be significantly influenced by genetics. It is a typical congenital malformation.

Association of Maternal Serum Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA) with Placental Histopathological Changes and Fetomaternal Outcome: A Prospective Case Control Study in Normotensive and Pre-eclamptic Women.

Introduction: Ischemia and oxidative stress leads to generation of hydroxyl free radicals and modification of '-terminus' of human serum albumin. This modified albumin molecule, known as Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA), is elevated in early stages of ischemia. It has recently been approved by US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for its clinical use, as early marker of myocardial ischemia in cardiology.

Genistein suppresses microglial activation and inhibits apoptosis in different brain regions of hypoxia-exposed mice model of amnesia.

Genistein (GE) or 4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone, a plant derived isoflavone, is a biologically active compound having several beneficial properties. Studies showed that GE possesses anti-neoplastic, anti-tumor, anti-helminthic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Herein, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of GE in a mouse model of hypoxia-induced amnesia.

Assessment of Role and Efficacy of Curcumin and Quercetin in Preventing Lead-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats.

Lead (Pb) is found in almost all phases in environment and biological systems. Pb stimulated oxidative stress is a state that involves the generation of free radicals beyond the permissible limits, which can deplete the antioxidant reserves and can result in oxidative stress, thus hampering the ability of the biological system to reverse the result. Exposure of rats to Pb (25 mg/kg body weight) for 8 weeks caused an increase in Pb levels in blood and brain.

The Molecular Role of HIF1α Is Elucidated in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is potentially fatal blood cancer, but there is an unmet need to discover novel molecular biomarkers. The hypothesis of this study aimed to elucidate the relationship of HIF1α with the redox system, Krebs cycles, notch1, and other regulatory proteins to better understand the pathophysiology and clinical relevance in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, as the molecular mechanism of this axis is still not clear. This study included CML patient samples (n = 60; 60: blood; 10: bone marrow tissues) and compared them with healthy controls (n = 20; blood).

The bioengineered HALOA complex induces anoikis in chronic myeloid leukemia cells by targeting the BCR-ABL/Notch/Ikaros/Redox/Inflammation axis.

Blast crisis (BC) is an outcome that arises during the treatment process of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), which is possibly attained by the dysregulation of the Notch and Ikaros signaling pathways, BCR-ABL translocation, redox, and inflammatory factors. This study demonstrated that biotherapeutic agents target aberrant molecular axis in CML-BC cells. The HALOA complex was synthesized by simple mixing of apo α-lactalbumin with oleic acid, which manages to inhibit BCR-ABL (b3a2 in K562 cells) translocation.

Structural interactions of phytoconstituent(s) from cinnamon, bay leaf, oregano, and parsley with SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein: A comparative assessment for development of potential antiviral nutraceuticals.

SARS-CoV-2 has been responsible for causing 6,218,308 deaths globally till date and has garnered worldwide attention. The lack of effective preventive and therapeutic drugs against SARS-CoV-2 has further worsened the scenario and has bolstered research in the area. The N-terminal and C-terminal RNA binding domains (NTD and CTD) of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein represent attractive therapeutic drug targets.

Prevalence of specific micronutrient deficiencies in urban school going children and adolescence of India: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Childhood and adolescence require adequate amount of micronutrients for normal growth and development. The primary objective of study was to assess the prevalence of deficiencies of Vitamins (Vitamin A, 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and Folate) and minerals (Calcium, Zinc, Selenium and Iron), among urban school going children aged 6-11 and 12-16 years in ten cities of India. Secondary objective was to find the association between micronutrient deficiencies with sociodemographic and anthropometric indicators.

Male infertility is not liked with HSF1, HSF2 and UBE2I gene polymorphisms among Indian subjects.

We analysed the polymorphisms at rs78202224 (C/A) for HSF1 gene, rs139496713 (C/T) and rs45504694 (C/A) for HSF2 gene and rs116868327 (G/A) for UBE2I gene in 547 infertile cases (non-obstructive azoospermia = 464, asthenozoospermia = 83) and 419 proven fertile controls of similar age group and ethnicity. SNP genotyping was done using AgenaMassARRY platform (Agena Bioscience, CA). Common, heterozygous, rare genotypes and allelic frequencies were analysed using dominant, recessive and co-dominant models.

Increased Serum Levels of Matrix-metalloproteinase-9, Cyclo-oxygenase-2 and Prostaglandin E-2 in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Unlabelled: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a heterogeneous lung disorder that is characterized by airflow obstruction and the third leading cause of death, globally. COPD is influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Here, we measured the serum level of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E-2 (PGE-2) and reveal the correlation between their levels in COPD subjects.