Revolutionizing DNA Extraction: A Cost-Effective Approach for Genomic DNA Retrieval from Dried Blood Spots.

Background: This study introduces an efficient, cost-effective laboratory- derived method for extracting genomic DNA from dried blood spots (DBS) by optimizing the organic separation phenol method.

Methodology: DBS samples, collected via heel prick from 50 neonates as a part of routine newborn screening, were processed using an optimized phenol method that employs lysis buffers with minimal concentrations of proteinase K and phenol:chloroform:isoamyl alcohol (PCI) reagent.

Results: The extracted genomic DNA exhibited a concentration range of 50 to 200ng/μl, with purity levels (A260/280) falling within the range of 1.

Implementing and validating newborn screening for inborn errors of metabolism in South India: a 2-year observational study at a tertiary care hospital.

Introduction: Newborn screening (NBS) is an essential public health initiative for early diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM), where timely intervention can reduce morbidity and mortality. While routine in developed countries, NBS is not widely practised in India. This study aimed to implement NBS programme in a tertiary care hospital in South India and validate predetermined cut-off values tailored to the regional population.

Assessing the diagnostic potential of 16SrRNA gene for neonatal sepsis: A tertiary care hospital study in South India.

Background: The need of the hour is to incorporate a rapid assay that could efficiently detect neonatal sepsis. We evaluated the diagnostic utility of 16SrRNA broad-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in neonatal sepsis.

Methods: The demographic and clinical details of 100 neonates clinically suspected to have sepsis were collected adopting pretested clinical proforma, followed by baseline laboratory investigations, including blood culture, complete blood counts, and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention and Treatment: A Review of Epidemiological, Preclinical, and Cellular Studies.

Inhibition of human carcinomas has previously been linked to vitamin D due to its effects on cancer cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and apoptosis induction. The anticancer activity of vitamin D has been confirmed by several studies, which have shown that increased cancer incidence is associated with decreased vitamin D and that dietary supplementation of vitamin D slows down the growth of xenografted tumors in mice. Vitamin D inhibits the growth of cancer cells by the induction of apoptosis as well as by arresting the cells at the G0/G1 (or) G2/M phase of the cell cycle.

AATF inhibition exerts antiangiogenic effects against human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background And Aims: Angiogenesis is a key factor in the growth and metastasis of hepatic tumors and thus a potential therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aim to identify the key role of apoptosis antagonizing transcription factor (AATF) in tumor angiogenesis and its underlying mechanisms in HCC.

Methods: HCC tissues were analyzed for AATF expression by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.

Online practical assessment in biochemistry designed on Bloom's taxonomy to assess the student's competency: Prior exposure of the students to online tools beneficial.

Online assessments are needed during the prevailing pandemic situation to continue educational activities while ensuring safety. After conducting the online practical assessment (OPrA) in Biochemistry, we analyzed the students' responses. The blueprint of the OPrA was prepared by the faculty, referring to the various levels and domains of Bloom's taxonomy.

Bioinformatic Tools for the Identification of MicroRNAs Regulating the Transcription Factors in Patients with β-Thalassemia.

β-thalassemia is a significant health issue worldwide, with approximately 7% of the world's population having defective hemoglobin genes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by targeting multiple gene transcripts. The levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) can be increased by regulating the expression of the γ-globin gene using the suppressive effects of miRNAs on several transcription factors such as MYB, BCL11A, GATA1, and KLF.

COVID-19 Effects on Geriatric Population and Failures of Aminoquinoline Therapy: Compilation of Studies from EU, USA, and China; Safety and Efficacy of Vaccines in the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19.

Background: Mortality of the older adult population suffering from COVID-19 has been increasing at an alarming rate, and people older than 76 years of age reported 18% mortality. Mainly, the EU and USA exhibited a greater fatality rate due to lack of selective immunization and anti-SARS Co-V-2 therapeutics. Very limited reports are available to delineate the impact of COVID-19 on the geriatric population and the failures of aminoquinoline therapy.

Role of NRF2 cascade in determining the differential response of cervical cancer cells to anticancer drugs: an in vitro study.

Background: Cervical cancers are usually treatable if detected in early stages by a combination of therapies. However, the prognosis of cervical cancer patients with metastasis remains unfavorable due to the fact that most of the cervical carcinomas are either resistant to anticancer drugs or show signs of relapse after initial treatment. Therefore, it is important to control the chemoresistance as it is the key to develop effective treatment options for cervical cancer.

A Review on SARS-CoV-2-Induced Neuroinflammation, Neurodevelopmental Complications, and Recent Updates on the Vaccine Development.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a devastating viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The incidence and mortality of COVID-19 patients have been increasing at an alarming rate. The mortality is much higher in older individuals, especially the ones suffering from respiratory distress, cardiac abnormalities, renal diseases, diabetes, and hypertension.

Impact of experiential learning among medical undergraduates: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Experiential learning sessions as a teaching aid have been applied early in the medical undergraduate curriculum to improve the knowledge and inculcate research interest. We compared the ability of 1-year medical undergraduates to answer the molecular biology questions among those who had attended the experiential learning sessions of molecular biology techniques versus those who did not attend.

Subjects And Methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out with 200 1-year medical undergraduates, among whom 69 students were selected by simple random sampling for the demonstration of the molecular biology techniques, such as isolation of genomic DNA, polymerase chain reaction, cell culture techniques, western blotting, and high-performance liquid chromatography for 1-week duration.

Major Protein of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Gene Family - CD66c, A Novel Marker in Colon Carcinoma.

Introduction: In view of rising trend of the incidence of colorectal carcinoma in the Indian population due to adoption of western lifestyles and behaviours, we investigated the expression of the new emerging stem cell biomarker, CD66c in colorectal carcinoma of Indian origin.

Aim: To study the expression of CD66c in human colorectal carcinoma and to correlate level of marker expression with tumour staging.

Materials And Methods: This hospital based prospective study was conducted on 26 colorectal carcinoma patients in the age group of 20 years to 70 years.

Can soluble CD163 predict outcome of patients with acute respiratory distress from mechanical ventilation?: A pilot study.

Purpose: CD163 is a monocyte/macrophage-associated antigen which has recently been identified as a hemoglobin scavenger receptor and has also anti-inflammatory properties and an immunoregulatory role. This surface receptor undergoes ectodomain shedding upon an inflammatory stimulus, leading to increased fraction of soluble CD163 (sCD163). Hence, we hypothesized that the mechanical ventilation (MV) which is known to elicit inflammatory response may cause increased serum levels of sCD163 which can predict the outcome of patients from MV.

Comparative assessment of cytokines and other inflammatory markers for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis-a case control study.

Objective: Cytokines (IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α), sCD163, and C-reactive protein were serially measured in an attempt to identify a set of tests which can reliably confirm or refute the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis at an early stage.

Methods: One hundred neonates suspected to have sepsis on clinical grounds and who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled for the study. Based on the positive or negative blood culture reports they were classified as infected (n=50) and non-infected (n=50) neonates respectively.