Genotypic and phenotypic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from eastern India.

Whole genome sequencing has been used to investigate the genomic diversity of M. tuberculosis in the northern and southern states of India, but information about the eastern part of the country is still limited. Through a sequencing-based strategy, this study seeks to comprehend the diversity and drug resistance pattern in the eastern region.

Thymol as Biofilm and Efflux Pump Inhibitor: A Dual-Action Approach to Combat Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, exacerbated by the emergence of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). The complex biology of M.

Ajoene: a natural compound with enhanced antimycobacterial and antibiofilm properties mediated by efflux pump modulation and ROS generation against M. Smegmatis.

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a primary worldwide health concern due to relatively ineffective treatments. The prolonged duration of conventional antibiotic therapy warrants innovative approaches to shorten treatment courses. In response to challenges, the study explores potential of Ajoene, a naturally occurring garlic extract-derived compound, for potential TB treatment.

Molecular characterization of anopheline species diversity in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, with a particular emphasis on Anopheles barbirostris.

This study investigates anopheline species diversity in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, employing morphological and molecular methods, focusing on the D3 domain of 28S rRNA (D3) and second internal spacer (ITS2). Ten Anopheline species were identified morphologically and confirmed with molecular markers. While the D3 region demonstrated low level of inter- and intra-specific genetic distance in all the species, ITS2 revealed clear barcoding gap.

Developing a digital data platform for surveillance of food and water-borne pathogens in North East India: insight for public health advocacy.

Robust digital infrastructure is vital and the need of the hour, especially in the healthcare sector, for real-time data generation, analysis, and quick decision-making. Food- and water-borne illnesses represent a prominent cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. India, a developing nation with diverse cultures and food practices, poses a high risk of food-borne diseases and outbreaks, yet is often underreported and ineffectively researched.

Comprehending the risk of foodborne and waterborne disease outbreaks: Current situation and control measures with Special reference to the Indian Scenario.

Background: Foodborne and waterborne diseases and outbreaks are a neglected public health issue worldwide. In developing countries, diarrheal disease caused by foodborne and waterborne infections is a major cause of ill health. There is a lack of information on foodborne pathogens, their transmission routes, outbreaks, and related mortalities, due to the absence of a robust disease surveillance system and adequately equipped laboratories.

Operational feasibility and multi-centric evaluation of 'TB sputum microscopy kit' for the direct detection of in field settings.

Background: India relies primarily on direct smear microscopy for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. However, the low sensitivity of smear microscopy emphasizes the need to improve its performance. We recently described the development of 'TB' kit which showed improved performance over direct smear microscopy at National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) in India.

Deciphering the Antibiofilm, Antibacterial, and Antioxidant Potential of Essential Oil from Indian Garlic and its Phytocompounds Against Foodborne Pathogens.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.), particularly its volatile essential oil, is widely recognized for medicinal properties. We have evaluated the efficacy of Indian Garlic Essential Oil (GEO) for antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity and its bioactive constituents.

Antimycobacterial potential of seed essential oil via fume contact and determination of major compounds.

(L.), commonly known as carrom seeds or Ajwain, has been extensively studied for its medicinal properties. In this study, anti-mycobacterial effect of AEO in liquid and fume form was investigated against and ).

Dealing with infodemic during COVID-19 pandemic: Role of effective health communication in facilitating outbreak response & actions - An ICMR experience.

Objectives: To highlight and assess the impact of intervention tools used by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) against COVID19 associated infodemic in the world's largest democratic country, India.

Study Design: It is a retrospective cross sectional study. The impact of ICMR's multi-pronged strategy to address the infodemic during pandemic has been assessed through analysis of print media reportage and social media engagements.

Molecular detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi strains circulating in Nagaland.

The antigenic heterogeneity of Orientia in India is still unknown in many disease endemic areas. The present study aims to characterize the strains of O. tsutsugamushi circulating in Nagaland, Northeast India.

Immune responses against different variants of SARS-CoV-2 including Omicron following 6 months of administration of heterologous prime-boost COVID-19 vaccine.

Comparative analysis at one- and six-months post-vaccination showed modest reduction in S1-RBD IgG antibody and NAb titers against B.1, Alpha, Beta and Delta variants in heterologous and homologous vaccine recipients groups. However, significant reduction in NAb titers against Omicron in vaccinees’ sera post-six months underlines need for cautious prospective follow-up.

Single-Cell Immunogenomic Approach Identified SARS-CoV-2 Protective Immune Signatures in Asymptomatic Direct Contacts of COVID-19 Cases.

The response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV2) is largely impacted by the level of virus exposure and status of the host immunity. The nature of protection shown by direct asymptomatic contacts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive patients is quite intriguing. In this study, we have characterized the antibody titer, SARS-CoV-2 surrogate virus neutralization, cytokine levels, single-cell T-cell receptor (TCR), and B-cell receptor (BCR) profiling in asymptomatic direct contacts, infected cases, and controls.

Immunogenicity and safety of a heterologous prime-boost COVID-19 vaccine schedule: ChAdOx1 vaccine Covishield followed by BBV152 Covaxin.

The evidence for effectiveness of heterologous priming of COVID-19 vaccine is very limited. Here, we studied eighteen participants who received heterologous vaccination regimen of AstraZeneca’s ChAdOx1-nCov-19 followed by inactivated whole virion BBV152. Heterologous group participant doesn’t report any adverse event following immunization and demonstrated high humoral and neutralizing antibody response.

Analysis of Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomes Reveals Prevalence of D614G Mutation in Spike Protein Predicting an Increase in Interaction With TMPRSS2 and Virus Infectivity.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, has emerged as a global pandemic worldwide. In this study, we used ARTIC primers-based amplicon sequencing to profile 225 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from India. Phylogenetic analysis of 202 high-quality assemblies identified the presence of all the five reported clades 19A, 19B, 20A, 20B, and 20C in the population.

Meta-analysis approach on iron fortification and its effect on pregnancy and its outcome through randomized, controlled trials.

Micronutrients' deficiency is a common phenomenon among a majority of the population residing in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) especially among women and children. Given the widespread prevalence of micronutrients' deficiency in LMICs, iron-fortified foods could be of potential benefits for both the mother and the development of fetus. Present study aims to provide the evidence on the impact of iron fortification on hemoglobin (Hb) concentration during pregnancy and evaluates the specific maternal and pregnancy outcomes.

A prospective study on incidence, risk factors, and validation of a risk score for post-infection irritable bowel syndrome in coastal eastern India.

Background And Aim: Post-infection irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) can occur following acute gastroenteritis (AGE). This study was designed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of PI-IBS following AGE and to validate a PI-IBS risk score.

Methods: This prospective study was performed between September 2014 and October 2016 on AGE patients by documenting their AGE severity and following up after 3 and 6 months to study the development of IBS (ROME III criteria).

Systematic review and meta-analysis approach on vitamin A fortified foods and its effect on retinol concentration in under 10 year children.

Objective: To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis of the trials to identify as well as quantify the effect of vitamin A fortified food on serum vitamin A concentration among children under 10 year.

Study Design: All the relevant studies has been retrieved by MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, ProQuest and the Cochrane Library and secondary referencing. A random effects model was applied to compute the pooled effect size of effect of serum retinol.

Independent urban effect on hypertension of older Indians: identification of a knowledge gap from a Study on Global AGEing and Health.

Among older Indians, more cardiovascular diseases and risk factors are observed in the city dwellers than in the rural population. Clustering of socioeconomic privileges and consequent obesity in the Indian cities are known to underlie this phenomenon. But, it is unclear whether an independent urban effect exists on age-related ailments, unexplained by concentration of privileges and excess weight in the Indian cities.

Association of processed food, synergistic effect of alcohol and HBV with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a high incidence region of India.

Background: Dietary factors, tobacco, and alcohol use have been identified as important factors of rising various cancer incidence in several northeastern states of India. However, little is known about the factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in this region. The aim of the paper was to identify the factors associated with HCC in the northeast region.

An analysis of respondent-driven sampling with injecting drug users in a high HIV prevalent state of India.

Background: Personal networks are significant social spaces to spread of HIV or other blood-borne infections among hard-to-reach population, viz., injecting drug users, female sex workers, etc. Sharing of infected needles or syringes among drug users is one of the major routes of HIV transmission in Manipur, a high HIV prevalence state in India.