Hepatitis B Virus x Protein Increases Cellular OCT3/4 and MYC and Facilitates Cellular Reprogramming.

Hepatitis B virus x (HBx) is a multifunctional protein coded by the Hepatitis B virus that is involved in various cellular processes such as proliferation, cell survival/apoptosis, and histone methylation. HBx was reported to be associated with liver "cancer stem cells." The stemness inducing properties of HBx could also facilitate the generation of pluripotent stem cells from somatic cells.

Investigating the potential role of swertiamarin on insulin resistant and non-insulin resistant granulosa cells of poly cystic ovarian syndrome patients.

Background And Aim: Conventional drugs have limitations due to prevalence of contraindications in PCOS patients. To explore the potential effects of swertiamarin, on abrupted insulin and steroidogenic signaling in human luteinized granulosa cells from PCOS patients with or without insulin resistance.

Experimental Procedure: hLGCs from 8 controls and 16 PCOS patients were classified for insulin resistance based on down regulation of protein expression of insulin receptor-β (INSR- β) as shown in our previous paper.

To Compare and Evaluate Laryngeal Changes in Patients with Dysphonia in Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) before and after Treatment with Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) and Prokinetic Drugs.

To evaluate and compare pre and post treatment results using the following parameters by (a) Dual probe pH monitoring. (b) Laryngeal mucosal changes as assessed by direct video laryngoscopy/stroboscopy using Belafsky scores. (c) Voice changes by using GRBAS and Dr Speech software for speech analysis.

Role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 in regulating human islet cell differentiation.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1), a fundamental DNA repair enzyme, is known to regulate β cell death, replication, and insulin secretion. PARP1 knockout (KO) mice are resistant to diabetes, while PARP1 overactivation contributes to β cell death. Additionally, PARP1 inhibition (PARPi) improves diabetes complications in patients with type-2 diabetes.

Clinico-Epidemiologic Attributes of 515 Persons Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome on Antiretroviral Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Centre of North India.

Objectives: To study the clinico-epidemiologic attributes of persons living with HIV/AIDS on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Methods: Clinico-epidemiological details, CD4 counts, previous illness and mucocutaneous diseases were studied in 515 persons living with HIV/AIDS on HAART.

Results: The study comprised 250 (48.

Influence of metabolically compromised Adipose derived stem cell secretome on islet differentiation and functionality.

Islet integrity plays a major role in maintaining glucose homeostasis and thus replenishment of damaged islets by differentiation of resident endocrine progenitors into neo islets regulates the islet functionality. Islet differentiation is affected by many factors including crosstalk with various organs by secretome. Adipose derived stem cells (ADSC) secrete a large array of factors in the extracellular milieu that exhibit regulatory effects on other tissues including pancreatic islets.

Femoral nerve neuromonitoring for lateral lumbar interbody fusion surgery.

Background Context: The transpsoas lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) technique is an effective alternative to traditional anterior and posterior approaches to the lumbar spine; however, nerve injuries are the most reported postoperative complication. Commonly used strategies to avoid nerve injury (eg, limiting retraction duration) have not been effective in detecting or preventing femoral nerve injuries.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of emerging intraoperative femoral nerve monitoring techniques and the importance of employing prompt surgical countermeasures when degraded femoral nerve function is detected.

Swertisin, a novel SGLT2 inhibitor, with improved glucose homeostasis for effective diabetes therapy.

Failing pancreas and subsequent loss of pancreatic β cells worsen diabetic conditions which are further alleviated by the mounting up of glucose levels. Inhibition of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) in the kidney responsible for glucose reabsorption strikingly reduces blood glucose levels. Bioactive swertisin showed a promising glucose-lowering effect.

Resistin mitigates stemness and metabolic profile of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells via insulin resistance.

During obesity adipose tissue abundantly secrete pro-inflammatory adipokines like Tumour Necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), resistin, leptin, etc. but reduced anti-inflammatory adipokines like adiponectin, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-4. In our recent clinical study, it was observed that both gene expressions and stored levels of resistin were elevated in adipose tissue of metabolically obese Indians.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of biofilm forming, antimicrobial resistant, pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from Indian dairy and meat products.

Escherichia coli are commensal gastrointestinal microflora of humans, but few strains may cause food-borne diseases. Present study aimed to identify antimicrobial resistant (AMR), biofilm-forming E. coli from Indian dairy and meat products.

Oncogenic transformation of human benign prostate hyperplasia with chronic cadmium exposure.

Experimentally, it has been proved that cadmium served as an effective carcinogen and able to induce tumors in rodents in a dose-specific manner. However, systemic evaluation of cadmium exposure for the transformation of prostatic hyperplasia into prostate cancer (PCa) is still unclear. In the present study, an attempt has been made to establish cadmium-induced human prostate carcinogenesis using an in vitro model of BPH cells.

Direct lineage tracing reveals Activin-a potential for improved pancreatic homing of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and efficient ß-cell regeneration in vivo.

Background: Despite the potential, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) show limitations for beta (ß)-cell replacement therapy due to inefficient methods to deliver BMSCs into pancreatic lineage. In this study, we report TGF-ß family member protein, Activin-a potential to stimulate efficient pancreatic migration, enhanced homing and accelerated ß-cell differentiation.

Methods: Lineage tracing of permanent green fluorescent protein (GFP)- tagged donor murine BMSCs transplanted either alone or in combination with Activin-a in diabetic mice displayed potential ß-cell regeneration and reversed diabetes.

Stromal-AR influences the growth of epithelial cells in the development of benign prostate hyperplasia.

Activation of epithelial-AR signaling is identified as the major cause of hyperproliferation of the cells during benign and malignant prostate conditions. However, the contribution of stromal-AR is also precarious due to its secretory actions that contribute to the progression of benign and malignant tumors. The present study was aimed to understand the influence of stromal-AR mediated actions on epithelial cells during BPH condition.

Influence of obese phenotype on metabolic profile, inflammatory mediators and stemness of hADSC in adipose tissue.

Background: Unhealthy dietary practices, sedentary life style and lack of physical exercise in developing countries like India are major contributors of metabolic syndrome like obesity and diabetes. Obesity in Indians is defined at Body Mass Index (BMI, kg/m) >25 and characterized as metabolically obese.

Objective: A preliminary study performed to explore ramification of obesity on metabolic profile of adipose tissue and adipose derived stem cells (ADSC) from control and obese Indians.

Strengthening antioxidant defense & cardio protection by : An in-vitro study.

Introduction: The purpose of this research work was to evaluate ethyl acetate extract (PBEA) for its free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic activities and its role in protecting against oxidative cardiac cell injury.

Methods: The Free radical scavenging activity and antioxidant potential of PBEA were evaluated using various non-cellular methods (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, β-carotene bleaching, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide Reducing power, Total phenolics and Total flavonoids). PBEA was standardized with Eugenol by GC-FID analysis.

IGF-II-Conjugated Nanocarrier for Brain-Targeted Delivery of p11 Gene for Depression.

Gene therapy involving p11 cDNA has been thought to be a futuristic approach for the effective management of depression as the existing treatment regimen presents many issues regarding late onset of action, patient withdrawal and their side effects. For the effective transfection of p11 gene intracellularly, two cationic lipids based on phospholipid DOPE conjugated to basic amino acids histidine and arginine were synthesised, used for liposome formulation and evaluated for their ability as gene delivery vectors. They were further converted using IGF-II mAb into immunoliposomes for CNS targeting and mAb conjugation to liposomes were characterised by SDS-PAGE.

Pancreatic resident endocrine progenitors demonstrate high islet neogenic fidelity and committed homing towards diabetic mice pancreas.

Pancreatic progenitors have been explored for their profound characteristics and unique commitment to generate new functional islets in regenerative medicine. Pancreatic resident endocrine progenitors (PREPs) with mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) phenotype were purified from BALB/c mice pancreas and characterized. PREPs were differentiated into mature islet clusters in vitro by activin-A and swertisin and functionally characterized.

Evaluation of Serum Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis and Healthy Controls: Results of a Pilot Study.

Background: The anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-proliferative effects of vitamin D in pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases have been highlighted in recent years but implications of vitamin D deficiency in systemic sclerosis (SSc) remain understudied.

Objectives: To evaluate serum vitamin D levels in SSc patients and matched controls.

Materials And Methods: Serum vitamin D levels were estimated in 38 (M:F 5:33) patients aged 23-70 years of untreated SSc and age and gender matched healthy controls.

Swertisin ameliorates diabetes by triggering pancreatic progenitors for islet neogenesis in Streptozotocin treated BALB/c mice.

In the present study, Swertisin's role in triggering resident pancreatic progenitors for islet neogenesis in Streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic mice was explored. STZ diabetic mice when treated with Swertisin demonstrated reversion to normoglycemia and significant elevation of fasting serum insulin levels. On screening the pancreatic tissue post Swertisin treatment in the STZ diabetic mice, we observed significant up-regulation of key transcription factors viz.

Differential insulin and steroidogenic signaling in insulin resistant and non-insulin resistant human luteinized granulosa cells-A study in PCOS patients.

Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the significant aberrations in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), however is only observed in 70%-80% of obese PCOS and 20%-25% of lean PCOS. Hyperinsulinemia accompanies PCOS-IR along with hyperandrogenemia against normal insulin and androgen levels in PCOS-non insulin resistance (NIR). This could possibly be due to defects in the downstream signaling pathways.

Dual effect of insulin resistance and cadmium on human granulosa cells - In vitro study.

Combined exposure of cadmium (Cd) and insulin resistance (IR) might be responsible for subfertility. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Cd in vitro in IR human granulosa cells. Isolated human granulosa cells from control and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) follicular fluid samples were confirmed for IR by decrease in protein expression of insulin receptor-β.

Dexamethasone Alters the Appetite Regulation via Induction of Hypothalamic Insulin Resistance in Rat Brain.

Elevated levels of glucocorticoid, a steroid hormone released in response to stress, have been implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetes, which is now known to extend its effect on brain functions. Hence, we aimed to investigate the status of brain insulin signaling in response to dexamethasone (a synthetic glucocorticoid) treatment in female Charles Foster rat. This model exhibited pronounced hyperinsulinemia and glucose intolerance with loss in appetite and body weight.

Swertiamarin ameliorates oleic acid induced lipid accumulation and oxidative stress by attenuating gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis in hepatic steatosis.

Swertiamarin, a bitter secoiridoid glycoside, is an antidiabetic drug with lipid lowering activity meliorates insulin resistance in Type 2 Diabetes condition. Therefore, the study was designed to explore the antioxidant and hypolipidemic activity of swertiamarin in ameliorating NAFLD caused due to hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation and insulin resistance. Steatosis was induced in HepG2 cells by supplementing 1mM oleic acid (OA) for 24h which was marked by significant accumulation of lipid droplets.