Combination therapy of Tocilizumab and steroid for management of COVID-19 associated cytokine release syndrome: A single center experience from Pune, Western India.

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or cytokine storm is thought to be the cause of inflammatory lung damage, worsening pneumonia and death in patients with COVID-19. Steroids (Methylprednislone or Dexamethasone) and Tocilizumab (TCZ), an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist, are approved for treatment of CRS in India. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy of TCZ and steroid in COVID-19 associated CRS.

Macronutrient analysis of human milk and factors associated with its composition in mothers of preterm infants ≤ 32 weeks.

We conducted an exploratory longitudinal study to evaluate the macronutrient composition of human milk in mothers delivering very preterm infants ≤ 32 weeks over the first 4 weeks of lactation and the association of human milk composition with maternal and neonatal factors A total of 213 human milk samples collected in the morning between 8 am and 12 pm from 60 eligible mothers were analyzed on 7 (n = 60), 14 (n = 60), 21 (n = 52), and 28 (n = 41) days of lactation by infrared transmission spectroscopy. The true protein content decreased significantly over 4 weeks (mean difference (95% confidence interval)) (MD (95% CI)) week 1 and week 4 = 0.2 g (0.

Identification of Escherichia coli through analysis of 16S rRNA and 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region sequences.

A bacterial strain, designated BzDS03 was isolated from water sample, collected from Dal Lake Srinagar. The strain was characterized by using 16S ribosomal RNA gene and 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region sequences. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 16S rRNA sequence of the isolate formed a monophyletic clade with genera Escherichia.

Virtual screening and pharmacophore studies for ftase inhibitors using Indian plant anticancer compounds database.

Farnesyl transferase (FTase) is an enzyme responsible for post-translational modification in proteins having a carboxy-terminal CaaX motif in human. It catalyzes the attachment of a lipid group in proteins of RAS superfamily, which is essential in signal transduction. FTase has been recognized as an important target for anti cancer therapeutics.

A ClpP protein model as tuberculosis target for screening marine compounds.

ATP-dependent Clp protease (ClpP) is a core unit of a major bacterial protease complex employing as a new attractive drug target for that isolates, which are resistant to antibiotics. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a gram-positive bacterium, is one of the major causes of hospital acquired infections. ClpP in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is usually tightly regulated and strictly requires a member of the family of Clp-ATPase and often further accessory proteins for proteolytic activation.

Identification of Comamonas species using 16S rRNA gene sequence.

A bacterial strain Bz02 was isolated from a water sample collected from river Gomti at the Indian city of Lucknow. We characterized the strain using 16S rRNA sequence. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the strain formed a monophyletic clade with members of the genus Comamonas.

Identification of regulatory elements in 16S rRNA gene of Acinetobacter species isolated from water sample.

A bacterial strain, designated AcBz01, was isolated from a water sample collected from Gomti River, Lucknow, India, and identified using a molecular approach. On the basis of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogeny and comparison of this gene sequence with sequences in Ribosomal Database project II, evidence given in this study, it is proposed that isolate is closely related to members of the genus Acinetobacter. Identification and annotation of regulatory elements in the 16S rRNA gene and characterization of their interaction with the respective transcription factor can provide basis for better understanding of the mechanism of network of gene interaction of functionally related genes.

Spectroscopic, thermal and biological studies on some trivalent ruthenium and rhodium NS chelating thiosemicarbazone complexes.

The synthetic, spectroscopic, and biological studies of sixteen ring-substituted 4-phenylthiosemicarbazones and 4-nitrophenyl-thiosemicarbazones of anisaldehyde, 4-chlorobenzaldehyde, 4-fluorobenzaldehyde, and vanillin with ruthenium(III) and rhodium(III) chlorides are reported here. Their structures were determined on the basis of the elemental analyses, spectroscopic data (IR, electronic, (1)H and (13)C NMR) along with magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar conductivity and thermogravimetric analyses. Electrical conductance measurement revealed a 1 : 3 electrolytic nature of the complexes.

Synthesis and appetite suppressant activity of 1-aryloxy-2-substituted aminomethyltetrahydronaphthalenes as conformationally rigid analogues of fluoxetine.

Several 1-aryloxy-2-substituted aminomethyltetrahydronaphthalenes (7-21) as conformationally rigid analogues of fluoxetine were synthesized and evaluated for their anorexigenic and antidepressant activities. For SAR studies the related acyclic analogues (22-27) were also prepared. Out of the 21 synthesized compounds, 10 compounds (9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23 and 27) exhibited significant anorexigenic activity (at 75 micromol/kg).

Substituted propanolamines and alkylamines derived from fluoxetine as potent appetite suppressants.

A series of propanolamine and alkylamine analogues of fluoxetine (7-26, 28-31) were synthesized and assessed for their anorexigenic and antidepressant activities. Effect of various substituents at C-4 aryl position of fluoxetine has also been studied. Most of the propanolamine analogues (7-13, 16-26) displayed significant anorexigenic activity but interestingly they were devoid of antidepressant activity whereas anorexigenic as well as antidepressant activity was retained in the alkylamine series (28-31).

Synthesis of tetrahydronaphthyl thioureas as potent appetite suppressants.

A series of thiourea derivatives (7-23, 25-27) of 1-aminotetrahydronaphthalene (4) and 1-amino-2-hydroxytetrahydronaphthalene (5) were synthesized in single pot in 48-90% yield and evaluated for their anorexigenic activity. Among them compounds 10, 14, 15, 16 and 22 exhibited significant anorexigenic activity without any antidepressant effect and provided a new structural lead for appetite suppressants.

A study of risk factors in recidivistic criminals.

A study was carried out under the aegis of Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi with objectives to identify psychosocial, physical, psychiatric, anthropometric and psychometric risk factors in recidivistic criminals, which could predict a future recidivistic criminal. The paper presents study observations on 250 experimental, 250 control-1 and 250 control-2 subjects. Experimental and control-1 subjects were recruited from district jails of Uttar Pradesh and control-2 from the community.