ABSTRACT
Plant, mineral, and animal products have been utilized as medications from the beginning of time to cure a variety of ailments. Use of medicinal herbs to modulate immune function has a rich history. Natural products serve as the foundation for contemporary pharmaceutical ingredients. Immunomodulation alters an individual's immune system by interfering with its normal processes. Immunomodulators derived from natural sources have been extensively studied in order to modify the immune system and prevent illness. Berberine is an alkaloid has been identified for its anti-inflammatory properties. In animal studies, Berberine was found to demonstrate analgesic properties. The current work is aimed to explore the in silico interactions of Berberine with various chemokines and inflammatory pathways. Berberine was docked with TNF-?, IL-1?, IL-6, and NOs in this investigation. Docking study demonstrated notable interactions with these targets. The present research provides insight into the development of new compounds for immunomodulation and the management of inflammatory illnesses. More research on Berberine and related flavonoids is necessary to assess its safety. As a result, Berberine can be regarded as a candidate for the advancement of an immunomodulatory agent.
ABSTRACT
Background: Health perceptions play an important part influencing health care utilization. Oral health messages and practices advocated by teachers can ensure better compliance by the students. Aims and Objectives: The present study aimed to assess qualitative insight regarding the perception and outlook of the school teachers understanding probable barriers regarding oral health care seeking behavior. Materials and Methods: Phenomenology type of qualitative research design was used amongst 44 school teachers of a Senior Secondary Government School of Delhi selected through convenient sampling. One to one in-depth interview was taken in 03 sections: demographic details, knowledge of oral health and its significance in life along with commonly followed and recommended oral hygiene practices and their views regarding barriers to oral health. Summative content analysis was conducted. Frequency distribution of the observed keywords was analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: The mean age of teachers was 33.7 + 7.02 years (27-41 years). Every participant in the study felt that “oral health is integral part of overall health”. On inquiring the prime reason; it was quoted 'Awareness/affects general health' (15.2%) followed by 'Bad oral health affects academic performance' (9.6%). Regarding perceived barriers for dental service delivery l; the major roadblock perceived was “lack of awareness” (47.7%) followed by “financial barrier” (29.5%).Conclusion: The responses gave an insight regarding the basic need for further subject specific oral health education programs as a key for changing the current scenario. Future seminars and workshops remain the mainstream to appraise the knowledge for school staff.
ABSTRACT
Background: High blood pressure (HBP) is the single most common risk factor for disease burden all over world. In India, HBP has now emerged as a leading risk factor for morbidity and mortality. This study was carried out to find out prevalence of hypertension and its association with major risk factors among adults residing in urban slum.Methods: A population based door to door study was carried out in urban slum coming under field practice area of urban health training centre, Department of Community Medicine People’s College of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.Results: The mean systolic BP was 121.4 mmHg whereas mean diastolic BP was 79.4 mmHg. Overall, 64.6% respondents were normotensive, 15.4% were in the category of pre-hypertension, and 5% in stage 1 hypertension (HTN) and 15% were in stage 2 HTN, giving the overall prevalence of high blood pressure 20.07%.Conclusions: It can be concluded from present study that the prevalence of hypertension is quite high. Hence it is necessary to increase the public awareness about hypertension.
ABSTRACT
Opioids play a major role in the perioperative management of pain in adults and children. Though there is significant morbidity and mortality associated with overdosage of opioids, they remain the most common means of providing analgesia in the perioperative period. We report the case of a preterm neonate born with low birth weight who underwent high sigmoid loop colostomy for high anorectal malformation using opioid-free general anesthesia with supplementation with caudal block. Successful uncomplicated extubation of preterm baby was achieved with good spontaneous efforts. Opioid free general anesthesia can prevent respiratory depression and the need for postoperative mechanical ventilation even when given to preterm neonates
ABSTRACT
Background: Non communicable diseases (NCDs) represent a cluster of major chronic diseases. Smoking habit, alcoholism, low quality diet intakes, physical inactivity are some of the established risk factors of the NCDs. In developing country like India the problem of lifestyle and its consequent diseases needs to be addressed vigorously by all public health care personnel. Objective of the study was to assess prevalence of modifiable risk factors using the WHO STEPS approach in urban slum.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out in the field practice area of urban health training centre of the department of community medicine of PCMS and RC, Bhopal using questionnaire.Results: Highest prevalence of modifiable risk factor was inadequate diet (85.2%), followed by smokeless tobacco consumption (59.1%) and low physical activity (46.1%). Tobacco smoking (31.9%) and alcohol (22.6%) were next, followed by high blood pressure (20.1%). Prevalence of least risk factors was overweight (13.9%).Conclusions: It can be concluded from our study that the burden of risk factors for NCDs is quite high. Its prevalence even in the younger age groups is a pointer to the fact that the burden of NCDs is going to rise in near future.
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Botulinum neurotoxins (A-G) are among most poisonous substances in the world, produced by obligate anaerobic bacteria Clostridum botulinum. Among the seven serotypes A, B, E and F are of human importance. In India, the prevalence of C. botulinum as well as botulism outbreaks have been reported. Due to its extreme toxicity it has been classified in the Category A of biological warfare agent. So far, there is no commercial detection system available in India to detect botulism. The present study aims to develop an immuno detection system for botulinum neurotoxin serotype B using synthetic gene approach. Methods: The truncated fragment of the botulinum neurotoxin type B from amino acid 1-450 was synthesized using PCR overlap primers; the constructed gene was cloned in the pQE30UA vector and transformed to Escherichia coli SG 13009. The recombinant protein expression was optimized using various concentration of isopropylthiogalactoside (IPTG) induction, further the expression was confirmed by Western blot analysis using anti-His antibody. Recombinant protein was purified under denatured condition using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Antibody was generated against the recombinant protein using alum adjuvant in BALB/c mice and tested for cross reactivity with other serotypes of C. botulinum as well as closely related clostridia. An ELISA test was developed for the detection of botulinum neurotoxin and the minimum detection limit was also estimated. Results: The recombinant protein was expressed at maximum yield at 4.3 h of post-induction with 0.5 mM IPTG concentration. The recombinant protein was purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography up to the homogeneity level. The polyclonal antibodies were raised in mice with a titre of 1:2048000. The developed antibody was highly specific with a sensitivity of detecting approximately 15 ng/ml of recombinant protein and not showing any cross-reactivity with other serotypes. Interpretation & conclusions: There is no commercial immunodetection system available in India to detect botulism. The developed detection system is highly specific. It will be useful for growing food industry to detect botulinum neurotoxin in food samples as well as in clinical samples.