Harnessing the Antibacterial, Anti-Diabetic and Anti-Carcinogenic Properties of Linn (Tulsi).

Linn ( L.), commonly known as Holy Basil or Tulsi, is a fragrant herbaceous plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. This plant is widely cultivated and found in north-central parts of India, several Arab countries, West Africa and tropical regions of the Eastern World.

Parkinson's Disease: Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Disease Progression.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disease that causes both motor and nonmotor symptoms. While our understanding of putative mechanisms has advanced significantly, it remains challenging to verify biomarkers with sufficient evidence for regular clinical use. Clinical symptoms are the primary basis for diagnosing the disease, which can be mild in the early stages and overlap with other neurological disorders.

Alzheimer's disease: from early pathogenesis to novel therapeutic approaches.

The mainstay behind Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unknown due to the elusive pathophysiology of the disease. Beta-amyloid and phosphorylated Tau is still widely incorporated in various research studies while studying AD. However, they are not sufficient.

Computational reassessment of RNA-seq data reveals key genes in active tuberculosis.

Background: Tuberculosis is a serious life-threatening disease among the top global health challenges and rapid and effective diagnostic biomarkers are vital for early diagnosis especially given the increasing prevalence of multidrug resistance.

Methods: Two human whole blood microarray datasets, GSE42826 and GSE42830 were retrieved from publicly available gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Deregulated genes (DEGs) were identified using GEO2R online tool and Gene Ontology (GO), protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was performed using Metascape and STRING databases.

Exploring the Role of Extracellular Vesicles in the Pathogenesis of Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health concern, necessitating accurate diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, play crucial roles in disease progression, with their associated genes serving as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Leveraging publicly available RNA-Seq datasets of TB patients and healthy controls (HCs), to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and their associated protein-protein interaction networks and immune cell profiles, the common EV-related DEGs were identified and validated in the GSE42830 and GSE40553 datasets.

Computational studies indicated the effectiveness of human metabolites against SARS-Cov-2 main protease.

To fight against the devastating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), identifying robust anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics from all possible directions is necessary. To contribute to this effort, we selected a human metabolites database containing waters and lipid-soluble metabolites to screen against the 3-chymotrypsin-like proteases (3CL) protein of SARS-CoV-2. The top 8 hits from virtual screening displayed a docking score varying between ~ - 11 and ~ - 14 kcal/mol.

Formulation design and optimization of cationic-charged liposomes of brimonidine tartrate for effective ocular drug delivery by design of experiment (DoE) approach.

Objective: The present study was aimed to design and optimize brimonidine tartrate (BRT) loaded cationic-charged liposome formulation with enhanced trans-corneal drug permeation, prolonged corneal residence, and sustained drug release for effective ocular delivery.

Methods: Design of experiment (DoE) based formulation optimization was done by three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken design selecting lipid, cholesterol, and drug content as independent variables and particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), entrapment efficiency (EE%), and cumulative % drug release (CDR) as response variables. The optimized formulation consisting of 79.

Design and development of a rapid, high voltage capacitor charging power supply based on third order resonant converter topology.

A rapid, high voltage capacitor charging power supply (CCPS) based on a third order resonant converter topology has been proposed, analyzed, and simulated using the PSpice software, and as a proof of concept, a prototype of the 6.0 kV, 6.0 A CCPS is also developed.

Purification of Drug Loaded Liposomal Formulations by a Novel Stirred Cell Ultrafiltration Technique.

Background: Presently reported methods for purification of liposomal formulations at laboratory scale have drawbacks of adversely affecting critical quality attributes (CQAs) of liposomes such as particle size, PDI, drug entrapment efficiency, etc., and are also not amenable for large scale processing.

Objective: The present study was aimed to explore stirred cell ultrafiltration technique as a novel liposome purification method for removal of unentrapped free drug and excess external aqueous fluid, maintaining the physical integrity of liposomes.

Eco-innovations and sustainability in solid waste management: An indian upfront in technological, organizational, start-ups and financial framework.

Technological interventions and eco-innovative solutions are necessary to cope with the adverse environmental impacts of waste accumulation. The notion to consider "waste as a resource and recycling of the same for getting the value of the waste" has truly transformed the approach towards solid waste management (SWM). Technological eco-innovations rely on the automation of waste segregation, collection, route optimization, digital apps for creating communication (enhanced efficiency by 40-85%) and treatment technologies.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in perinatal asphyxia: role in pathogenesis and potential therapeutic interventions.

Perinatal asphyxia (PA)-induced brain injury may present as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in the neonatal period, and long-term sequelae such as spastic motor deficits, intellectual disability, seizure disorders and learning disabilities. The brain injury is secondary to both the hypoxic-ischemic event and oxygenation-reperfusion following resuscitation. Following PA, a time-dependent progression of neuronal insult takes place in terms of transition of cell death from necrosis to apoptosis.

Ethyl Pyruvate as a Potential Defense Intervention against Cytokine Storm in COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a deadly pandemic and has resulted in a huge loss of money and life in the past few months. It is well known that the SARS-CoV-2 gene mutates relatively slowly as compared to other viruses but still may create hurdles in developing vaccines. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative routes for its management and treatment of COVID-19.

Designing and Formulation Optimization of Hyaluronic Acid Conjugated PLGA Nanoparticles of Tamoxifen for Tumor Targeting.

Background: Tamoxifen is widely used for the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. However, it is associated with severe side effects of cancerous proliferation on the uterus endometrium. The tumor-targeting formulation strategies can effectively overcome drug side effects of tamoxifen and provide safer drug treatment.

An integrated methodology to overcome barriers to climate change mitigation strategies: a case of the cement industry in India.

Cement is a basic requirement of today's society and is the only thing that humans consume more volume than water, but cement manufacturing is the most energy- and emission-intensive process. Hence, the cement industry is currently under pressure to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions. Climate change mitigation strategies implemented in the industry leads to GHGs reduction, climate risks, pollutants, and another adverse impact on the environment.

An integrated approach using AHP and DEMATEL for evaluating climate change mitigation strategies of the Indian cement manufacturing industry.

Concrete, a cement-based product is the highest manufactured and second highest consumed product after water on earth. Across the world, production of cement is the most energy and emission intensive industry hence, the cement industry is currently under pressure to reduce greenhouse gases emissions (GHGEs). However, reducing the GHGEs of the cement industry especially for developing country like India is not an easy task.

Hydrodynamic cavitation using vortex diode: An efficient approach for elimination of pathogenic bacteria from water.

The present study successfully demonstrates greener methodology of hydrodynamic cavitation using rotational flows for disinfection of water. Disinfection of two model microbial strains-gram- negative (Escherichia coli) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) using vortex diode was evaluated. The removal efficacy was quantified for two different cavitation reactors.

Short-term westernized (HFFD) diet fed in adolescent rats: Effect on glucose homeostasis, hippocampal insulin signaling, apoptosis and related cognitive and recognition memory function.

Excessive consumption of high-fat fructose diet (HFFD) is associated with the development of systemic insulin resistance (InsRes) and further progression into type-2 diabetes (T2DM). InsRes induced hippocampal insulin signaling has serious consequence on hampered sensorimotor, cognitive performance and long term potentiation accompained to neuronal cell death in hippocampus. However, short-term HFFD/Streptozotocin (STZ) mediated hippocampal InsRes and related neurobehavioral alterations in adoloscents have not been reported.

Purification of Drug Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles Prepared by Emulsification Solvent Evaporation Using Stirred Cell Ultrafiltration Technique.

Purpose: The emulsifiers in an exceedingly higher level are used in the preparation of drug loaded polymeric nanoparticles prepared by emulsification solvent evaporation method. This creates great problem to the formulator due to their serious toxicities when it is to be administered by parenteral route. The final product is therefore required to be freed from the used surfactants by the conventional purification techniques which is a cumbersome job.

Hydroxypropyl- β -cyclodextrin: A Novel Transungual Permeation Enhancer for Development of Topical Drug Delivery System for Onychomycosis.

The treatment of onychomycosis is a challenging task because of unique barrier properties of the nail plate which hampers the passage of antifungal drugs in a concentration required to eradicate the deeply seated causative fungi in the nail bed. In present investigation, application of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) was established as an effective and nail friendly transungual drug permeation enhancer especially for poorly water soluble drugs using terbinafine hydrochloride as a poorly soluble drug. HP-β-CD significantly improves hydration of nail plates and increases solubility of terbinafine hydrochloride in the aqueous environment available therein, which leads to uninterrupted drug permeation through water filled pores of hydrogel-like structure of hydrated nail plates.

Monitoring corrosion of steel bars in reinforced concrete structures.

Corrosion of steel bars embedded in reinforced concrete (RC) structures reduces the service life and durability of structures causing early failure of structure, which costs significantly for inspection and maintenance of deteriorating structures. Hence, monitoring of reinforcement corrosion is of significant importance for preventing premature failure of structures. This paper attempts to present the importance of monitoring reinforcement corrosion and describes the different methods for evaluating the corrosion state of RC structures, especially hal-cell potential (HCP) method.

An investigation on the effect of groove geometry on cementless femoral stem component in hip arthroplasty.

The optimal surface for a cementless femoral stem has been a subject of debate for the past several years. Several researchers have stressed the need for research on how an implant surface shape contributes to long-term stability after implantation, in the field of orthopaedics. The introduction of optimized grooves on an implant proximal surface may enhance long-term stability of an implant.

Substituted benzene sulfonamides incorporating 1,3,5-triazinyl moieties potently inhibit human carbonic anhydrases II, IX and XII.

A series of benzene sulfonamides incorporating 1,3,5-triazinyl moieties were synthesized using cyanuric chloride as starting material. Inhibition studies against human carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.

Polarization sensitive optical low-coherence reflectometry for blood glucose monitoring in human subjects.

A device based on polarization sensitive optical low-coherence reflectometry is developed to monitor blood glucose levels in human subjects. The device was initially tested with tissue phantom. The measurements with human subjects for various glucose concentration levels are found to be linearly dependent on the ellipticity obtainable from the home-made phase-sensitive optical low-coherence reflectometry device.

Variable selection based QSAR modeling on Bisphenylbenzimidazole as Inhibitor of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

The emergence of mutant virus in drug therapy for HIV-1 infection has steadily risen in the last decade. Inhibition of reverse transcriptase enzyme has emerged as a novel target for the treatment of HIV infection. The aim to decipher the structural features that interact with receptor, we report a quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) study on a dataset of thirty seven compounds belonging to bisphenylbenzimidazoles (BPBIs) as reverse transcriptase inhibitors using enhanced replacement method (ERM), stepwise multiple linear regression (Stepwise-MLR) and genetic function approximation (GFA) method for selecting a subset of relevant descriptors, developing the best multiple linear regression model and defining the QSAR model applicability domain boundaries.

Hydration of nail plate: a novel screening model for transungual drug permeation enhancers.

Drug delivery by topical route for the treatment of onychomycosis, a nail fungal infection, is challenging due to the unique barrier properties of the nail plate which imparts high resistance to the passage of antifungal drugs. Permeation enhancers are used in transungual formulations to improve the drug flux across the nail plate. Selection of the effective permeation enhancer among the available large pool of permeation enhancers is a difficult task.