Legume lectins: Potential use as a diagnostics and therapeutics against the cancer.

Legume lectins are carbohydrate-binding protein and widely distributed in a variety of species of leguminous plants and have drawn increased attention toward cancer. Nowadays, the lectins have been studied for the screening of potential biomarkers which increased its importance in cancer research. Few plant lectins have been shown to destroy cancer cells, suggesting that lectins may have biological potential in cancer treatments.

Inhibition of Using siRNA-Based Gene Silencing Method: A Computational Approach.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in several countries. Development of first-line and second-line drug resistance strains of further complicated the management of the disease. Despite available drugs to treat TB, 1.

Cellular demolition: Proteins as molecular players of programmed cell death.

Apoptosis, a well-characterized and regulated cell death programme in eukaryotes plays a fundamental role in developing or later-life periods to dispose of unwanted cells to maintain typical tissue architecture, homeostasis in a spatiotemporal manner. This silent cellular death occurs without affecting any neighboring cells/tissue and avoids triggering of immunological response. Furthermore, diminished forms of apoptosis result in cancer and autoimmune diseases, whereas unregulated apoptosis may also lead to the development of a myriad of neurodegenerative diseases.

Role of M.tuberculosis protein Rv2005c in the aminoglycosides resistance.

Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis which threatens the globe. Aminoglycosides {Amikacin (AK) & Kanamycin (KM)} are WHO recommended second-line anti-TB drugs used against the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Aminoglycosides target the steps of protein translation machinery of M.

Multiple strain infection of Mycobacterium leprae in a family having 4 patients: A study employing short tandem repeats.

Background: Leprosy is a slow, chronic disorder caused by Mycobacterium leprae. India has achieved elimination of leprosy in December 2005 but new cases are being detected and continue to occur in some endemic pockets. The possible ways of transmission of leprosy is not fully understood and is believed that leprosy is transmitted from person to person in long term contact.

Whole Genome Sequencing of Clinical Isolates From India Reveals Genetic Heterogeneity and Region-Specific Variations That Might Affect Drug Susceptibility.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of has been constructive in understanding its evolution, genetic diversity and the mechanisms involved in drug resistance. A large number of sequencing efforts from across the globe have revealed genetic diversity among clinical isolates and the genetic determinants for their resistance to anti-tubercular drugs. Considering the high TB burden in India, the availability of WGS studies is limited.

Genotypic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from North-Central Indian population.

Background: Different strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) are known to have different epidemiological and clinical characteristics. Some of them are widely distributed and associated with drug resistance, whereas others are locally predominated. Molecular epidemiological investigations have always been beneficial in identifying new strains and studying their transmission dynamics.

Sub-national TB prevalence surveys in India, 2006-2012: Results of uniformly conducted data analysis.

Setting: Community based tuberculosis (TB) prevalence surveys in ten sites across India during 2006-2012.

Objective: To re-analyze data of recent sub-national surveys using uniform statistical methods and obtain a pooled national level estimate of prevalence of TB.

Methods: Individuals ≥15 years old were screened by interview for symptoms suggestive of Pulmonary TB (PTB) and history of anti-TB treatment; additional screening by chest radiography was undertaken in five sites.

Transcription factors STAT-4, STAT-6 and CREB regulate Th1/Th2 response in leprosy patients: effect of M. leprae antigens.

Background: Leprosy is an ideal human disease to study T cell regulation as patients show correlation between cytokine skewed Th1-Th2 responses and clinical forms of the disease. The Role of transcription factors on the modulation of Th1 and Th2 responses by M. leprae antigens has not been adequately studied.

Mycobactericidal activity of some micro-encapsulated synthetic Host Defense Peptides (HDP) by expediting the permeation of antibiotic: A new paradigm of drug delivery for tuberculosis.

Resistance to anti-Tuberculosis (anti-TB) drugs is primarily due to unique intrinsic resistance mechanisms that mycobacterium possess. The most important determinant of resistance is a peculiar hydrophobic and multi-layered mycobacterial cell-wall structure with mycolic-acid and wax-D, which restricts permeability of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs into bacteria. In this study, it was supposed that Host Defense peptides (HDP) which are known to permeabilize bacterial membranes may, therefore, help anti-TB antibiotics to target internal sites in bacteria.

Notch signaling induces lymphoproliferation, T helper cell activation and Th1/Th2 differentiation in leprosy.

The present study evaluates role of Notch1 signaling in the regulation of T cell immunity in leprosy. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from leprosy patients and healthy controls were activated with Mycobacterium leprae antigens along with activation of Notch1 signaling pathway and then lymphoproliferation was analyzed by lymphocytes transformation test and the expression of Notch1 and its ligands DLL1, Jagged1 and Jagged 2, T cell activation marker and Th1-Th2 cytokines on Th cells in PBMCs of study subjects were analyzed by flow cytometry. Further, these parameters were also analyzed after inhibition of Notch1 signaling pathway.

HPMA-PLGA Based Nanoparticles for Effective In Vitro Delivery of Rifampicin.

Purpose: Tuberculosis (TB) chemotherapy witnesses some major challenges such as poor water-solubility and bioavailability of drugs that frequently delay the treatment. In the present study, an attempt to enhance the aqueous solubility of rifampicin (RMP) was made via co-polymeric nanoparticles approach. HPMA (N-2-hydroxypropylmethacrylamide)-PLGA based polymeric nanoparticulate system were prepared and evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) for sustained release and bioavailability of RMP to achieve better delivery.

Identification of factors involved in Enterococcus faecalis biofilm under quercetin stress.

Enterococcus faecalis is a gram positive enteric commensal bacteria or opportunistic pathogen and its infection involves biofilm formation. Quercetin, a plant origin polyphenol was found to inhibit E. faecalis biofilm.

Tuberculosis preventive treatment: the next chapter of tuberculosis elimination in India.

The End TB Strategy envisions a world free of tuberculosis-zero deaths, disease and suffering due to tuberculosis by 2035. This requires reducing the global tuberculosis incidence from >1250 cases per million people to <100 cases per million people within the next two decades. Expanding testing and treatment of tuberculosis infection is critical to achieving this goal.

Effective Antimicrobial Activity of Green ZnO Nano Particles of .

In the present study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesized using leaf extract of () under different physical parameters. Biosynthesis of ZnO NPs was confirmed by UV-Visible spectrophotometer and further, characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Photoluminescence study and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). We have also confirmed that several physical parameters such as pH, temperature, concentration of metal ions and reaction time were able to regulate shape and size of synthesized ZnO NPs.

Smartly Engineered PEGylated Di-Block Nanopolymeric Micelles: Duo Delivery of Isoniazid and Rifampicin Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

In an attempt to deliver multiple drugs through a nanoparticulate platform, the present study was designed to deliver isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RMP) together through conjugation/encapsulation approaches using PEG-PLA (polyethylene glycol-poly-L-lactic acid) polymeric micelles. The objective of this study is to identify the preparation and evaluation of PEGylated polymeric micelles with dual drug delivery of INH and RMP for the effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Synthesized PEG-PLA di-block-copolymer was further conjugated to INH-forming PEG-PLA-INH (PPI) conjugate.

Prevalence and risk factors of tuberculosis in developing countries through health care workers.

In the last two decades, tuberculosis (TB) have threatened the public across the globe and continuing new TB cases and their transmission pooled with the global emergence of drug-resistant strains present an enduring occupational risk for health care workers (HCWs). Since last decade, government and funding agencies has given a significant amount of funds to tackle the problem of TB infection among medical staff or HCW in hospitals of developing countries, but the effects of these efforts have not yet been reported. Working environments are the major risk factors for TB infections among the HCW in hospital settings.

The role of T regulatory cell-associated markers in monitoring tuberculosis treatment completion and failure.

Monitoring tuberculosis (TB) treatment success is crucial for clinical decision-making. The only available tool in this regard is sputum microscopy, but it has demerits. Moreover, in case of smear negatives and extrapulmonary TB, an efficient tool is still sought for.

Rapid detection of ethambutol-resistant in clinical specimens by real-time polymerase chain reaction hybridisation probe method.

Background: Early diagnosis of drug resistance (DR) to ethambutol (EMB) in tuberculosis (TB) remains a challenge. Simple and reliable method (s) are needed for rapid detection of DR Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in clinical specimens.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to design fluorescence resonance energy transfer hybridisation probe-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the early detection of EMB-resistant MTB direct from clinical sputa.

Necroptosis: a regulated inflammatory mode of cell death.

Programmed cell death has a vital role in embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Necroptosis is an alternative mode of regulated cell death mimicking features of apoptosis and necrosis. Necroptosis requires protein RIPK3 (previously well recognized as regulator of inflammation, cell survival, and disease) and its substrate MLKL, the crucial players of this pathway.

Phytofabrication of Silver nanoparticles: Novel Drug to overcome hepatocellular ailments.

This study aimed to treat hepatocellular ailments with biologically prepared silver nanoparticle (AgNPs). AgNPs were formulated using leaf extract and their synthesis and characterization were determined by UV-visible spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Scanning Electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Zeta analysis. studies on HepG2 cell lines for cytotoxic effect and studies in a rat model for hepatoprotective effect were carried out using biologically prepared AgNPs as curing agents.

Potential Alternative Strategy against Drug Resistant Tuberculosis: A Proteomics Prospect.

is one of the deadliest human pathogen of the tuberculosis diseases. Drug resistance leads to emergence of multidrug-resistant and extremely drug resistant strains of . Apart from principal targets of resistance, many explanations have been proposed for drug resistance but some resistance mechanisms are still unknown.

Interactome analysis of Rv0148 to predict potential targets and their pathways linked to aminoglycosides drug resistance: An insilico approach.

Failure of multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment has increased the risk of aminoglycosides resistance, disease transmission, morbidity and mortality. Aminoglycosides are commonly used in multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment. They inhibit protein synthesis by interacting with translationary steps.