Toxicological and behavioral study of two potential antibacterial agents:4-chloromercuribenzoic acid and quercetin on Swiss-albino mice.

Global dissemination of carbapenem resistant-Gram negative bacteria (CR-GNB) is supposed to be clinically alarming because it extremely delimits the treatment options against serious infections. 4-Chloromercuribenzoic acid (pCMB) is an efficient metallo-enzyme inhibitor, and quercetin is known for antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. These two compounds could be considered as potential candidates for the treatment of CR-GNB mediated infections.

The Association Between Female Smoking and Childhood Asthma Prevalence-A Study Based on Aggregative Data.

Socioeconomic and environmental factors influence childhood asthma prevalence across the world. In-depth epidemiological research is necessary to determine the association between asthma prevalence and socio-environmental conditions, and to develop public health strategies to protect the asthmatic children against the environmental precipitators. Our research was based on aggregative data and sought to compare the asthma prevalence between children of two different age-groups across the world and to identify the association among the key socio-environmental conditions with increased childhood asthma prevalence.

Ocular surface and chronic pesticide exposure: Evaluating the alterations in corneal cellular turnover concerning cell cycle and apoptosis.

The consequences of chronic pesticide exposure on the ocular surface are not yet fully known and lacunae exist regarding the repercussions of this xenobiotic insult on cellular turnover. The present work aims to establish the mechanistic relationship between ocular morbidity and chronic pesticide exposure by analyzing the impact on key regulators responsible for cell cycle and death. Vital components of cell cycle and death were primarily explored in this study by mimicking the on-field scenario regarding chronic pesticide exposure in a murine model.

Etoricoxib-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis: A fatal case report.

Cyclooxygenase inhibitors were developed in the quest of enhanced analgesic efficacy devoid of gastric side effects. High usage of etoricoxib by prescription as well as self-administered routes has led to increasing reports of side effects and adverse reactions including dermatologic reactions in 0.1%-0.

Role of tumor microenvironment in cancer stem cell chemoresistance and recurrence.

Chemoresistance to the anticancer therapy is the main challenge for the recurrence of cancer and it is responsible for treatment failure and unfavorable clinical outcome. Understanding the mechanisms of chemoresistance in cancer would help to predict disease progression, develop new therapies and personalize systemic therapy. In the last few decades, cancer stem cells (CSC) have proven to play a key role in tumor initiation and may also act as a key factor for chemoresistance and recurrence of the disease following chemotherapy.

Lamivudine plus tenofovir versus lamivudine plus adefovir for the treatment of hepatitis B virus in HIV-coinfected patients, starting antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Combination of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), lamivudine (3TC) and efavirenz (EFV) is preferred in the treatment of HIV/hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection. We postulated that a HBV active nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor/nucleotide RT inhibitor backbone of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) +3TC would be as effective as TDF +3TC for the Indian population.

Objective: ADV + 3TC could be an alternative option for these HIV/HBV coinfected individuals, preserving the dually active TDF + 3TC as second-line nucleoside backbone following failure of the first-line ART.

Therapeutic management of peritoneal ascitic sarcomatosis by Ruta graveolens: A study in experimental mice.

Relevance: Malignant peritoneal sarcomatosis related ascitic formation often leads to grave consequences but the therapeutic management of the fatal pathophysiological condition remains a rarely discussed issue. The present study investigates the anti-neoplastic activity of the plant alkaloid from Ruta graveolens on ascitic Sarcoma-180 bearing mice as a model of human malignant peritoneal ascites.

Materials And Methods: The efficacy of the loco-regional administration of Ruta graveolens on tumour cells was explored with cytopathological and cytotoxicological studies, along with the expressional modulation vital regulatory molecules viz.

Chikungunya virus: genomic microevolution in Eastern India and its in-silico epitope prediction.

This is the first study reporting whole genome sequences of two CHIKV strains (KJ679577 and KJ679578) isolated from Eastern Indian patients sera during 2010-2011 outbreak, both of which were of ECSA genotype, but from different subgroups: Indian Ocean outbreak and ECSA subtypes. Furthermore, viral sequences were analyzed using different in-silico approaches to identify potential genetic variations that might have functional implications on various aspects of virus replication, viral protein functionality, immunogenicity and transmission. Epitope prediction analysis revealed 70.

Aberrant Wnt Signaling Pathway in the Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Compartment in Experimental Leukemic Animal.

The evolutionarily conserved Wnt signaling pathway regulates physiological hematopoiesis, a process of formation of blood cells and has been shown to play crucial role in the development of both myeloid and lymphoid malignancies. The Wnt signaling pathway can be broadly divided into canonical and non-canonical pathways. In the present study, we investigated the pathobiology of leukemia by studying the expression profile of Wnt proteins, receptors, key signaling intermediates and endogenous Wnt antagonist involved in canonical and non-canonical pathways in the bone marrow (BM) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) compartment of experimental leukemic mice.

Insecticide susceptibility status of Phlebotomus argentipes and polymorphisms in voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc) gene in Kala-azar endemic areas of West Bengal, India.

Rational use of insecticides, as advocated by World Health Organisation, plays a crucial role for vector control in eliminating visceral leishmaniasis from endemic countries. Emergence and spread of resistance among vector sand flies is of increasing concern for achieving these goals. Information on insecticide susceptibility status of sand fly populations and potential association between the former and polymorphisms in the insecticide target genes is important for formulating proper vector control measures.

Pachydermoperiostosis Mimicking Acromegaly: A Case Report.

Pachydermoperiostosis is a rare, hereditary disease commonly presenting with digital clubbing, pachyderma, and periosteal hypertrophy. Coarsening of facial features and spade-like enlargement of hands and feet may give rise to a diagnostic dilemma between pachydermoperiostosis and acromegaly. This report highlights a case of a 36-year-old man who presented with broadening of hands and feet, facial skin thickening, and edematous and drooping eyelids for the last 10 years.

Deciphering the biochemical and molecular mechanism underlying the in vitro and in vivo chemotherapeutic efficacy of ruthenium quercetin complex in colon cancer.

Flavonoids are the most investigated phytochemicals due to their pharmacological and therapeutic activities. Their ability to chelate with metal ions has resulted in the emergence of a new category of molecules with a broader spectrum of pharmacological activities. In this study, the ruthenium quercetin complex has been synthesized and anticancer activity has been evaluated on a well-defined model of DMH followed by DSS induced rat colon cancer and on human colon cancer cell line HT-29.

Methotrexate Aspasomes Against Rheumatoid Arthritis: Optimized Hydrogel Loaded Liposomal Formulation with In Vivo Evaluation in Wistar Rats.

Aspasomes of methotrexate with antioxidant, ascorbyl palmitate, were developed and optimized using factorial design by varying parameters such as lipid molar ratio, drug to lipid molar ratio, and type of hydration buffer for transdermal delivery for disease modifying activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Aspasomes were characterized by drug-excipients interaction, particle size analysis, determination of zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and surface properties. The best formulation was loaded into hydrogel for evaluation of in vitro drug release and tested in vivo against adjuvant induced arthritis model in wistar rats, by assessing various physiological, biochemical, hematological, and histopathological parameters.

Polymorphisms in voltage-gated sodium channel gene and susceptibility of Aedes albopictus to insecticides in three districts of northern West Bengal, India.

Background: The control and prevention of dengue largely depends on vector control measures, environmental management, and personal protection. Dengue control programmes are facing great challenges due to development of insecticide resistance among vector mosquitoes. Information on susceptibility status to different insecticides is important for national programmes to formulate vector control strategies.

Assessment of Drug Usage Pattern in Patients Treated for Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis Attending a Tertiary Eye Care Centre in Eastern India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Vernal keratoconunctivitis is a recurrent, seasonal, allergic condition affecting children and adolescents in warmer regions worldwide.

Objective: To assess the drug usage pattern for the management of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).

Materials & Methods: This was a 12 weeks long hospital based cross sectional study conducted in the outpatient unit of the department of ophthalmology of a teaching hospital.

The Status of Susceptibility of Japanese Encephalitis Vectors to Insecticides in Endemic Areas of Northern Districts of West Bengal, India.

Emergence and spread of resistance among vectors toward different insecticides is a serious problem for the Japanese encephalitis (JE) control program. Regularly monitoring the status of susceptibility of vector species to insecticides is important for formulating proper vector control measures. In this study, we studied the susceptibility status of major JE vectors from northern West Bengal, toward 4% DDT, 0.

The Bumpy Face of Che Guevara: An Interesting Case.

Placement of decorative tattoo on the skin may lead to various immunological, infective, and coincidental complications. Inoculation of human papillomavirus leading to development of verruca is an uncommon complication of tattoos. The present report highlights the development of verruca vulgaris, developing after 2 years of tattooing in a young male.

A Rare Case of Fixed Drug Eruption due to Ondansetron.

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a unique type of cutaneous drug reaction that typically recurs in the identical locations on re-exposure to the attributed drug. FDE is characterized by the appearance of a single or multiple sharply demarcated violaceous erythematous plaques which heal with residual hyperpigmentation. A 27-year-old woman presented with multiple dark patches over her eyelids, mouth, lips, and shoulders of 1 week's duration.

Epigenetic and microenvironmental alterations in bone marrow associated with ROS in experimental aplastic anemia.

Aplastic anemia or bone marrow failure often develops as an effect of chemotherapeutic drug application for the treatment of various pathophysiological conditions including cancer. The long-term bone marrow injury affects the basic hematopoietic population including hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). The present study aimed in unearthing the underlying mechanisms of chemotherapeutics mediated bone marrow aplasia with special focus on altered redox status and associated effects on hematopoietic microenvironment and epigenetic status of hematopoietic cells.

Adverse drug reaction monitoring in patients on antiretroviral therapy in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India.

Background: Besides unparalleled benefits, highly active antiretroviral therapy is also associated with wide range of potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs), which hinders treatment adherence. The present study was thus designed to monitor and explore the pattern of occurrence of ADRs to various antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens in a tertiary care ART setup.

Materials And Methods: A prospective, observational clinical study was carried out in the outpatient setting of nodal ART center of Eastern India.

Correlation of altered expression of a long non-coding RNA, NEAT1, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells with dengue disease progression.

The association of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with dengue disease progression is currently unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify lncRNAs in different categories of dengue patients and evaluate their association with dengue disease progression. Herein, we examined the expression profiles of lncRNAs and protein-coding genes between other febrile illness (OFI) and different grade of dengue patients through high-throughput RNA sequencing.

Amelioration of Pain on Injection of Propofol: A Comparison of Pretreatment with Granisetron Vs Lignocaine.

Introduction: Pain during propofol injection is a very commonly and frequently encountered event during induction of anaesthesia. A 5HT3 antagonists like granisetron are commonly used just prior to intravenous propofol as pre anaesthetic medication to prevent emesis in patients.

Aim: Comparison of pre treatment with granisetron versus lignocaine with respect to amelioration of pain induced by injection of propofol, in patient admitted for elective surgery with general anaesthesia.

A Case of Inappropriate Self-Medication Compounded with Prescribing Dispensing Errors and the Hazardous Consequence.

Introduction: Self-medication behavior appears to be a commonplace; and when it is ignorant it may prove dangerous. On the other hand, dispensing errors and consequent adverse outcomes, though not too uncommon, are seldom reported. We report here a case of methotrexateinduced acute vesico-bullous eruptions in a patient of psoriasis who indulged in self-medication and was wrongfully dispensed higher doses of methotrexate.

Association of toll-like receptor polymorphisms with susceptibility to chikungunya virus infection.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection leads to activation of innate immune response by triggering Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways resulting in elevated cytokines and type-I interferon levels. Genetic variations of these genes may influence human CHIKV-susceptibility and disease progression. Present study aimed to identify role of TLR polymorphisms in CHIKV-susceptibility and their association with cytokines and clinical symptoms.