Publications by authors named "Rajeev Ashwin"

After the discovery of DNA during the mid-20 century, a multitude of novel methodologies have surfaced which exploit DNA for its various properties. One such recently developed application of DNA is as a template in metal nanocluster formation. In the early years of the new millennium, a group of researchers found that DNA can be adopted as a template for the binding of metal nanoparticles that ultimately form nanoclusters.

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The field of biomaterials is a continuously evolving interdisciplinary field encompassing biological sciences, materials sciences, chemical sciences, and physical sciences with a multitude of applications realized every year. However, different biomaterials developed for different applications have unique challenges in the form of biological barriers, and addressing these challenges simultaneously is also a challenge. Nevertheless, immense progress has been made through the development of novel materials with minimal adverse effects such as DNA nanostructures, specific synthesis strategies based on supramolecular chemistry, and modulating the shortcomings of existing biomaterials through effective functionalization techniques.

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Background: Chronic viral infection results in impaired immune responses rendering viral persistence. Here, we compared the quality of T-cell responses among chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals by examining the levels of expression of selected immune activation and exhaustion molecules on circulating MAIT cells and Tfh cells.

Methods: Cytokines were measured using a commercial Bio-plex Pro Human Cytokine Grp I Panel 17-plex kit (BioRad, Hercules, CA, USA).

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Gut microbiota dictates the fate of several diseases, including cancer. Most gastric cancers (GC) belong to gastric adenocarcinomas (GAC). Helicobacter pylori colonizes the gastric epithelium and is the causative agent of 75% of all stomach malignancies globally.

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Chronic viral infection results in impaired immune responses rendering viral persistence. Here, we investigated the role of immune activation and compared the quality of T-cell responses in chronic HBV, HCV, and HIV infections. Cytokines were measured using a commercial Bio-plex Pro Human Cytokine Grp I Panel 17-plex kit (BioRad, Hercules, CA, USA).

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Antimicrobial peptide (AMP), also called host defense peptide, is a part of the innate immune system in eukaryotic organisms. AMPs are also produced by prokaryotes in response to stressful conditions and environmental changes. They have a broad spectrum of activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.

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Chronic viral infections represent a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Chronic HBV, HCV, and HIV infections result in cytokine perturbations that may hold key implications in understanding the complex disease mechanisms driving virus persistence and/or resolution. Here, we determined the levels of various plasma cytokines using a commercial Bio-Plex Luminex cytokine array in chronic HBV ( = 30), HCV ( = 15), and HIV ( = 40) infections and correlated with corresponding plasma viral loads (PVLs) and liver parameters.

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Article Synopsis
  • Scientific research suggests that human pegivirus (HPgV) might help slow down the progression of HIV and is typically not linked to liver issues.
  • In a study, HIV-infected individuals with HPgV showed lower plasma viral loads and better liver health compared to those without HPgV.
  • HPgV-positive participants also had higher interleukin-7 levels and better CD4+ T cell counts, indicating a potential positive effect on HIV disease markers.
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