Publications by authors named "Nanamika Thakur"

Article Synopsis
  • The study examines how the -251T > A variant in the IL8 gene affects the risk of developing primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in a North Indian Punjabi population, focusing on its genetic association.
  • A total of 226 POAG, 132 PACG patients, and 424 controls were analyzed; results showed a significant association between the variant and PACG in males, indicating that certain genotypes may offer protective effects.
  • The findings highlight a potential genetic factor contributing to sex differences in glaucoma susceptibility, suggesting the need for further research into the biological mechanisms driving this disparity.
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Interleukin (IL) 1B is an important candidate gene in glaucoma pathogenesis as it affects the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In the present study, -511T/C and +3953C/T polymorphisms in the IL1B were assessed as genetic risk factors for primary open angle (POAG) and angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in a North Indian Punjabi cohort comprising 867 samples (POAG cases = 307; PACG cases = 133 and controls = 427). Genetic association, diplotype and linkage disequilibrium (LD) analyses were performed.

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SARS-CoV-2, responsible for COVID-19, shares 79% and 50% of its identity with SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV, respectively. It uses the same main cell attachment and entry receptor as SARS-CoV-1, which is the ACE-2 receptor. However, key residues in the receptor-binding domain of its S-protein seem to give it a stronger affinity for the receptor and a better ability to hide from the host immune system.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused havoc all around the world. The causative agent of COVID-19 is the novel form of the coronavirus (CoV) named SARS-CoV-2, which results in immune system disruption, increased inflammation, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). T cells have been important components of the immune system, which decide the fate of the COVID-19 disease.

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The immune response elicited by the current COVID-19 vaccinations declines with time, especially among the immunocompromised population. Furthermore, the emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants, particularly the Omicron variant, has raised serious concerns about the efficacy of currently available vaccines in protecting the most vulnerable people. Several studies have reported that vaccinated people get breakthrough infections amid COVID-19 cases.

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Since commencement of COVID-19 pandemic, several SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged amid containment efforts vaccination. The Delta variant (B.1.

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Background: Hypoxic injury to retinal ganglionic cells and adjoining glia is implicated in glaucomatous optic neuropathy. The present study evaluates the effect of IL-6 on R28 retinal precursor cell line exposed to hypoxic injury.

Methods And Results: Apoptotic cell death induced by hypoxia mimetic CoCl in R28 cells with or without IL-6 treatment was measured using cell viability assays and apoptotic markers.

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Background: IL6 is an important candidate gene implicated in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. The present study assessed the genetic association of -174G > C and -572G > C polymorphisms in the IL6 promoter region with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in a north Indian Punjabi cohort.

Methods: 910 subjects (313 POAG, 148 PACG cases and 449 controls) were recruited.

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Purpose: Transforming growth factor beta (TGFB) is an important candidate gene implicated in glaucoma pathogenesis because it affects retinal ganglionic cell survival. The present study assessed the genetic association of -509C > T variant in the TGFB promoter region with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in a North Indian Punjabi population.

Method: A total of 867 subjects (307 POAG, 133 PACG cases and 427 controls) were recruited from the targeted population.

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Background: Variants in CDKN2B/CDKN2B-AS1 have been reported to modulate glaucoma risk in several GWAS across different populations. CDKN2B/CDKN2A encodes tumor suppressor proteins p16/p15 which influences cell proliferation/senescence in RGCs, the degeneration of which is a risk factor for glaucoma. CDKN2B-AS1 codes a long non-coding RNA in antisense direction and is involved in influencing nearby CDKN2A/CDKN2B via regulatory mechanisms.

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MMP (Matrix metalloproteinase) 9 is reported to affect glaucoma pathogenesis by altering intraocular pressure (IOP) through its role in remodeling the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the trabecular meshwork. A genetic variant at the promoter region in the MMP9 gene (-1562C>T) has a putative role in regulating its transcription rate and hence can affect genetic predisposition to primary glaucoma. The present study examined the association of -1562C>T promoter polymorphism in the MMP9 gene with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) and Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PACG) in a north Indian population.

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