Anti-retroviral therapy adherence in India (2012-18): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: India has 2.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). The objective of this study was to ascertain the extent of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) adherence and reasons for nonadherence among PLHIV in India.

Development of pathophysiologically relevant models of sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia for therapeutic studies.

Ex vivo cellular system that accurately replicates sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia characteristics is a highly sought-after goal in the field of erythroid biology. In this study, we present the generation of erythroid progenitor lines with sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia mutation using CRISPR/Cas9. The disease cellular models exhibit similar differentiation profiles, globin expression and proteome dynamics as patient-derived hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells.

Biosorption of halophilic fungal melanized membrane - PUR/melanin polymer for heavy metal detoxification with electrospinning technology.

Eradication of heavy metal pollution has become the prime priority over the conservation of water resources in the upcoming era. Herein, the study involved the halophilic fungal melanin from showed a promising biosorbent for the removal of toxic heavy metals which shows eco-friendly, cost-effective, high stability, and adsorbent efficiency. Polyurethane blended with fungal melanin polymers, makes polymeric nanofibrous membranes through electrospinning techniques.

Scalable noninvasive amplicon-based precision sequencing (SNAPseq) for genetic diagnosis and screening of β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease using a next-generation sequencing platform.

β-hemoglobinopathies such as β-thalassemia (BT) and Sickle cell disease (SCD) are inherited monogenic blood disorders with significant global burden. Hence, early and affordable diagnosis can alleviate morbidity and reduce mortality given the lack of effective cure. Currently, Sanger sequencing is considered to be the gold standard genetic test for BT and SCD, but it has a very low throughput requiring multiple amplicons and more sequencing reactions to cover the entire HBB gene.

Melanin biopolymers from microbial world with future perspectives-a review.

Melanin is an amorphous polymer made of heterogeneous functional groups synthesized by diverse organisms including fungi, bacteria, animals, and plants. It was widely acknowledged for its biological processes and its key role in the protection of organisms from environmental stress. Recently, melanin clutches attention in the field of nanobiotechnology, drug delivery, organic semiconductors and bioelectronics, environmental bioremediation, photoprotection, etc.

Restoration of dendritic cell homeostasis and Type I/Type III interferon levels in convalescent COVID-19 individuals.

Background: Plasmacytoid and myeloid dendritic cells play a vital role in the protection against viral infections. In COVID-19, there is an impairment of dendritic cell (DC) function and interferon secretion which has been correlated with disease severity.

Results: In this study, we described the frequency of DC subsets and the plasma levels of Type I (IFNα, IFNβ) and Type III Interferons (IFNλ1), IFNλ2) and IFNλ3) in seven groups of COVID-19 individuals, classified based on days since RT-PCR confirmation of SARS-CoV2 infection.

A Simple, Cost-Effective, and Extraction-Free Molecular Diagnostic Test for Sickle Cell Disease Using a Noninvasive Buccal Swab Specimen for a Limited-Resource Setting.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most prevalent life-threatening blood monogenic disorder. Currently, there is no cure available, apart from bone marrow transplantation. Early and efficient diagnosis of SCD is key to disease management, which would make considerable strides in alleviating morbidity and reducing mortality.

Phyto-chemical and biological activity of , an ayurvedic medicinal plant in Southern India and its ingredient analysis.

The major aspects of using plant-derived medications are significantly safer and secure than synthetic ones. The n-hexane seed extract of ayurvedic medicinal plants was also utilized as food ingredients have analyzed for phytochemical existence by Gas Chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Twenty-three phytoconstituents were identified with elemicin (24.

Development of an efficient single-cell cloning and expansion strategy for genome edited induced pluripotent stem cells.

Background: Disease-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can be generated directly from individuals with known disease characteristics or alternatively be modified using genome editing approaches to introduce disease causing genetic mutations to study the biological response of those mutations. The genome editing procedure in hiPSCs is still inefficient, particularly when it comes to homology directed repair (HDR) of genetic mutations or targeted transgene insertion in the genome and single cell cloning of edited cells. In addition, genome editing processes also involve additional cellular stresses such as poor cell viability and genetic stability of hiPSCs.

Seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among the general population and healthcare workers in India, June-July 2021: A population-based cross-sectional study.

Background: India began COVID-19 vaccination in January 2021, initially targeting healthcare and frontline workers. The vaccination strategy was expanded in a phased manner and currently covers all individuals aged 18 years and above. India experienced a severe second wave of COVID-19 during March-June 2021.

Dynamic alterations in monocyte numbers, subset frequencies and activation markers in acute and convalescent COVID-19 individuals.

Monocytes are thought to play an important role in host defence and pathogenesis of COVID-19. However, a comprehensive examination of monocyte numbers and function has not been performed longitudinally in acute and convalescent COVID-19. We examined the absolute counts of monocytes, the frequency of monocyte subsets, the plasma levels of monocyte activation markers using flowcytometry and ELISA in seven groups of COVID-19 individuals, classified based on days since RT-PCR confirmation of SARS-CoV2 infection.

Implementing Serosurveys in India: Experiences, Lessons Learned, and Recommendations.

Serological surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and rubella, can provide direct measures of population immunity across age groups, identify gaps in immunity, and document changes in immunity over time. Rigorously conducted, representative household serosurveys provide high-quality estimates with minimal bias. However, they can be logistically challenging, expensive, and have higher refusal rates than vaccine coverage surveys.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among the general population and healthcare workers in India, December 2020-January 2021.

Background: Earlier serosurveys in India revealed seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) of 0.73% in May-June 2020 and 7.1% in August-September 2020.

Novel and Efficient Protocol for DNA Coating-Based Identification of DNA-Protein Interaction by Antibody-Mediated Immunodetection.

Background: Studying protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions are prerequisites for the identification of function and mechanistic role of various proteins in the cell. Protocols for analyzing DNA-based Protein-Protein and Protein-DNA interactions are complicated and need to be simplified for efficient tracking of binding capabilities of various proteins to specific DNA molecules. Here, we demonstrated a simple yet efficient protocol for the identification of DNA coating-based Protein-DNA interaction using antibodymediated immunodetection.

SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in India, August-September, 2020: findings from the second nationwide household serosurvey.

Background: The first national severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) serosurvey in India, done in May-June, 2020, among adults aged 18 years or older from 21 states, found a SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody seroprevalence of 0·73% (95% CI 0·34-1·13). We aimed to assess the more recent nationwide seroprevalence in the general population in India.

Methods: We did a second household serosurvey among individuals aged 10 years or older in the same 700 villages or wards within 70 districts in India that were included in the first serosurvey.

Microhair on the adaxial leaf surface of salt secreting halophytic Oryza coarctata Roxb. show distinct morphotypes: Isolation for molecular and functional analysis.

Halophytic Oryza coarctata is a good model system to examine mechanisms of salinity tolerance in rice. O. coarctata leaves show the presence of microhairs in adaxial leaf surface furrows that secrete salt under salinity.

Dengue infection in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Dengue is the most extensively spread mosquito-borne disease; endemic in more than 100 countries. Information about dengue disease burden, its prevalence, incidence and geographic distribution is critical in planning appropriate control measures against dengue fever. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of dengue fever in India.

Preparation and characterization of beta-glucan particles containing a payload of nanoembedded rifabutin for enhanced targeted delivery to macrophages.

β-glucan particles (GP) are polymeric carbohydrates, mainly found as components of cell wall fungi, yeast, bacteria and also in cereals such as barley and oat, and have been recently shown to have application in macrophage-targeted drug delivery. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize GP containing a large payload of Rifabutin (RB), an anti-tuberculosis drug effective against MDR-TB at lower MIC than Rifampicin. GP were prepared from yeast cells by acidic and alkaline extraction were either spray dried or lyophilized, prior to RB loading and alginate sealing.

Novel Validated RP-HPLC Method for Bendamustine Hydrochloride Based on Ion-pair Chromatography: Application in Determining Infusion Stability and Pharmacokinetics.

Ion pair chromatography was used for quantifying bendamustine hydrochloride (BH) in its marketed vial. The permissive objective was to investigate time duration for which highly susceptible drug content of the marketed vial remained stable after reconstitution. However, the method could also be used to measure extremely low levels of drug in rat plasma and a pharmacokinetic study was accordingly conducted to further showcase method's applicability.

Mechanical perturbations trigger endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity in human red blood cells.

Nitric oxide (NO), a vascular signaling molecule, is primarily produced by endothelial NO synthase. Recently, a functional endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) was described in red blood cells (RBC). The RBC-eNOS contributes to the intravascular NO pool and regulates physiological functions.

A correlation of fecal volatiles and steroid hormone profiles with behavioral expression during estrous cycle of goat, Capra hircus.

Chemical signals (both volatile and non-volatile) form the major communication channels in animals. These signals are transferred mainly through excretory sources to facilitate inter-individual communication. In particular, the reproductive cycle of female mammals, including goats, exhibits significant changes in the constituents of their excretory products, and female mammals also express different behavioral patterns.