Publications by authors named "Tusha Sharma"

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) induces chronic neuropathic pain in diabetic patients. Current treatments like pregabalin and duloxetine offer limited efficacy. This study evaluates combining pregabalin and duloxetine versus pregabalin alone for DPN pain relief, and explores gene modulation ( and ) to understand neuropathic pain's molecular basis.

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Background The diverse manifestations of urolithiasis provide very interesting epidemiological data. This has prompted various studies to look into the etiopathogenesis of renal stones, which is believed to be multifactorial, both exogenous and endogenous. VDR Fok1 is a risk factor for renal stone formation and could cause the formation of renal stones through the mechanism of crystal induction and crystallization in the urine.

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The human gut microbiota can be potentially disrupted due to exposure of various environmental contaminants, including pesticides. These contaminants enter into non-target species in multiple ways and cause potential health risks. The gut microbiota-derived metabolites have a significant role in maintaining the host's health by regulating metabolic homeostasis.

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  • A study analyzed blood samples from 60 neonates with seizures, split into 30 who responded to phenobarbitone and 30 who did not.
  • Researchers used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure CYP2B6 gene expression in these samples.
  • Results showed that CYP2B6 expression was significantly lower in non-responders compared to responders, indicating a potential link between lower CYP2B6 levels and poor response to the medication (P<0.001).
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Growth factor-induced migration of lens epithelial cell (LEC) toward the posterior of lens capsule bag and their epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the key process involved in the pathogenesis of posterior capsular opacification (PCO). Silibinin, a natural flavonolignan, confers therapeutic effects to different cells by regulation of signalling pathways; however, its role in the prevention of migration and EMT of LECs is yet to be analysed. In this study, the inhibitory capabilities of silibinin on migration and EMT were analysed in response to TGFβ2 stimulation in HLE B-3 cells.

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  • - AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an essential regulator of energy balance in cells, activated during low energy conditions, making it a key target for treating diseases, particularly those affecting the eyes.
  • - The review examines how AMPK signaling is involved in the development of various ocular diseases like cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, linking it to processes like mitochondrial biogenesis and inflammation.
  • - The study suggests that inhibiting AMPK signaling may be more effective for treating ocular diseases than activating it, highlighting the need for research into better AMPK modulators for eye-related treatments.
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A randomized controlled study was conducted to assess modulation of signal transduction genes (, and ) following integrated multimodal approach encompassing pulsed radiofrequency treatment (PRF) of dorsal root ganglion and pregabalin in thoracic postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Clinical variables such as pain intensity and quality of life were also explored.  A total of 40 Patients of PHN were recruited.

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Background: Exposure to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), a potent lipophilic organochlorine pesticide, has long been linked as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, its presence in the adipose tissues of the T2DM subjects has not been explored in the Indian population, where this long-banned pesticide is still in use. The present study was conducted to evaluate the possible association of DDT and its metabolites in obese and non-obese T2DM subjects.

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Objectives: The aim of this study is to study the modulation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteases 1 (TIMP 1) gene in patients with neuropathic pain (NP).

Materials And Methods: In the present, cross-sectional, observational study, 2 ml of venous baseline sample was withdrawn from all the patients with neuropathic (NP) or non NP (NNP) soon after their diagnosis or on their first visit to the pain clinic. A real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction experiment was conducted to measure the mRNA expression of TIMP1 and ERK genes in blood samples.

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Background: Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) exposure may induce an endocrine disruption which may lead to the risk of developing diabetes through alteration and disturbance of glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and destruction of β-cells. The present study determines the recent trend of OCPs residue in blood samples and their association with the known risk factors responsible for developing the risk of diabetes among the North Indian population.

Methods: Blood sample of 300 patients (100 each of normal glucose tolerance [NGT], prediabetes and newly detected diabetes mellitus [DM]) between the age group of 30 to 70 years were collected.

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Background: Pesticides are major xenobiotic compounds and environmental pollutants, which are able to alter drug-metabolizing enzyme as well as pharmacokinetics of drugs. Subsequent to the release of the human genome project, genetic variations (polymorphism) become an integral part of drug development due to their influence on disease susceptibility/ progression of the disease and their impact on drug absorption, distribution, metabolism of active metabolites and finally excretion of the drug. Genetic polymorphisms crucially regulate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs under the influence of physiological condition, lifestyle, as well as pathological conditions collectively.

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Although the etiology of ovarian cancer is not clear, certain factors are implicated in this disease, such as ovulation, gonadotropic and steroid hormones, growth factors, cytokines, environmental agents, etc. Epidemiological studies have proven environmental exposure to pesticides with an increased risk of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC); however, the molecular mechanism underlying the carcinogenic effects of pesticides in human ovary remains poorly understood. The present study aimed to study the pro-inflammatory response of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) namely β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and Dieldrin following exposure to human ovary surface epithelial cells (HOSE) for risk prediction of epithelial ovarian cancer.

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Article Synopsis
  • Incidence rates of breast cancer are rising among young women (≤40 years) in India, with environmental exposure to organochlorine (OC) compounds being a possible risk factor not yet thoroughly investigated.
  • A case-control study compared 42 breast cancer patients aged ≤40 years with 42 matched controls to evaluate the levels of various OC compounds in their blood, including DDT and its metabolites.
  • Results showed that young women with breast cancer had significantly higher levels of most OC compounds, indicating that exposure to these pesticides could be a significant modifiable risk factor for breast cancer in this age group.
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Background: DNA promoter methylation is widely explored epigenetic phenomena, known to effect gene expression and further perturbation in cellular homeostasis. Myriad of studies have leveraged promoter methylation and its potential as biomarker for various types of cancer. Aim of present study is to investigate promoter methylation of CDH1 and VIM gene and etiology of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

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Unlabelled: The transformation of ovarian surface epithelial cells, stromal cells, sex cord, or germ cells initiates ovarian malignancy. Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is clinically silent with vague, non-specific symptomatology and is generally diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in a high mortality rate. The known main etiological factors are: age at menarche and menopause (early menarche or late menopause), use of oral contraception (estrogen and/or progesterone), family history, genetic factors, inflammation, occupational and environmental exposure.

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Background: Recent studies have shown that there is an increased risk of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) with Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs). However, the alteration in the gene expression profile has not been explored so far. The goal of the present study is to understand the probable molecular mechanism of OCPs toxicity towards discovery of dysregulation of signaling pathway associated with differential gene expression and candidate transcriptomic set of markers in the pathophysiology of EOC in OCPs exposed population.

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Gynecological effects due to smokeless tobacco exposure are not well studied. This cross-sectional study was undertaken with the objective to evaluate the urinary cotinine levels in women of reproductive age with gynecological complaints. The study was conducted in 2015 at the outpatient clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi.

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Cerebral palsy is a common motor disability in childhood. Raised lead levels affect cognition. Children with cerebral palsy may have raised lead levels, further impairing their residual cognitive motor and behavioral abilities.

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We explored the association between maternal exposure to organochlorine pesticides and neural tube defects (NTDs) in the offspring. Blood was collected from 35 mothers and their offsprings with NTDs (case group) and from 35 mothers-neonate dyads without congenital anomalies (control group). The median blood levels of DDE, t-HCH and endosulphan in mothers in the case group and of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), total hexachlorocyclohexane (t-HCH) and endosulfan in the neonates with NTDs were significantly higher.

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Background & Objectives: Preterm birth (PTB) is an important cause of prenatal death, neonatal morbidity and mortality and adult illness. Increased inflammation occurs in normal parturition, and inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress are found to be higher in PTB cases. The present study was planned to investigate the association of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) with mRNA expression of inflammatory pathway genes such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in preterm delivery (PTD) cases.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to assess the incidence of chronic persistent post-surgical pain (CPPP) in patients undergoing staging laparotomy for ovarian cancer and examine the involvement of specific signal transduction genes.
  • A total of 21 patients were enrolled, with 38.1% experiencing CPPP, which significantly impacted their functional status and quality of life.
  • The researchers found that higher levels of mRNA expression of signal transduction genes were positively correlated with pain intensity, as measured by visual analogue scale scores, 90 days post-surgery.
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  • The study aimed to investigate how serum BDNF levels change after a combined treatment for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).
  • A group of 60 patients was divided into two: one receiving pregabalin with pulsed radiofrequency and the other receiving pregabalin with a sham treatment.
  • Results showed that pain decreased faster in the treatment group, and both groups experienced an increase in serum BDNF levels, with the treatment group showing a more significant rise.
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Elevated inflammation is a known risk factor in the pathogenesis of PTB. Despite intensive research, the etiology of idiopathic PTB is still unknown. The present study was designed to explore associations of blood concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) with inflammatory/antioxidant gene expression, and cytokines and prostaglandin levels in PTB cases.

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DNA from molted feathers is being increasingly used for genetic studies on birds. However, the DNA obtained from such non-invasive sources is often not of enough quantity and quality for isolation of new microsatellite markers. The present study examined the potential of shed feathers of near threatened Painted Stork as a source of its DNA for cross-species amplification of microsatellites.

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  • - Ovarian cancer often goes undetected until advanced stages due to vague symptoms and is linked to genetic mutations, particularly in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes associated with family history.
  • - A study on 30 women with confirmed ovarian cancer found multiple genetic variants, including some novel ones, but did not identify the known BRCA founder mutations in the participants.
  • - While BRCA mutations account for a significant portion of familial ovarian cancer cases, they only explain a fraction of the overall genetic risk, suggesting the involvement of other genetic factors like single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
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