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Introduction: To statistically compare the trends of epidemiological indicators of COVID-19 in India with Italy, the UK, and the US. Methodology: In this descriptive analysis, epidemiological indicators were calculated and their trends were plotted and compared statistically. Regression analysis was done to predict the fatalities. Results: The trends of total and active cases per million populations are rising in India and US, while Italy has achieved the plateau in the total cases per million populations, and active cases have been sharply declining with time. The UK is about to achieve the same. India has remained far behind the other three countries in the number of tests per million populations (p<0.05). In the initial phase, the test positivity rate of India was quite lower but has overtaken Italy and UK. India has always reported a higher recovery rate than US and lower than Italy. CFRs have achieved a plateau in Italy and UK, in US it is declining, while it remained almost constant in India throughout the pandemic. Testing was a significant covariate in predicting the fatalities. Conclusions: India was able to manage the initial phase of this pandemic due to early and strict government interventions and strong public health responses.
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Background: Cancer is the second most common fatal disease in the world, behind cardiovascular disorders in the first place. It accounts for around 0.3 million deaths per year in India due to the lack of proper diagnostic facilities, prevention and treatment. Current therapeutic methods do not provide adequate protection and affect normal cells along with cancerous ones. Thus, there is a need for some alternative therapeutic strategy, preferably from natural products, which have been traditionally used for treatment of various diseases in the country. Methods: In this study, we have conjugated purified NN-32 toxin from Naja naja venom with gold nanoparticles and its anticancer potential was evaluated against human breast cancer cell lines. UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and zeta potential analysis were the techniques used for characterization of GNP-NN-32. Results: GNP-NN-32 showed dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). NN-32 and GNP-NN-32 induced apoptosis in both breast cancer cell lines. The results of CFSE cell proliferation study revealed that NN-32 and GNP-NN-32 arrested cell division in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines resulting in inhibition of proliferation of these cancer cells. Conclusion: GNP-NN-32 showed an anticancer potential against human breast cancer cell lines. Analysis of detailed chemical characterization along with its cytotoxic property might help to perceive a new dimension of the anti-cancer potential of GNP-NN-32 that will enhance its biomedical function in near future.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Elapid Venoms , Naja naja , Antineoplastic AgentsABSTRACT
Industrial, domestic and agricultural wastes pose potential threat to the aquatic environment as major sources of toxic contaminants along with carcinogenic and genotoxic compounds. Heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) have increased concern due to their mutagenic features as they can bind to DNA molecule and lead to genotoxicity. In the present study, we evaluated the genotoxic potential of cupric chloride di-hydrate (A), anthracene (B) and combined exposure of both (C) on the freshwater mussel, Lamellidens corrianus (Lea 1834). Animals were exposed individually to cupric chloride di-hydrate (A, 0.1 ppm) and anthracene (B, 0.5 ppm) and their combined exposure (C) for 7 days (T1) and 14 days (T2), followed by the transfer of exposed animals to toxicant free water for four days after each treatment for assessment of recovery pattern (R1, R2). Genotoxicity was evaluated after each exposure and recovery with the help of comet assay and micronucleus assay. In all the above exposures (A, B and C) it was observed that increased exposure duration leads to more DNA damage. However, recovery potential of animals upon exposure to extended duration found to be greater than that of the short duration exposure (R2>R1), indicating adaptability of animals. The trend of damage in tail DNA% and olive tail moment (OTM) was consistent after both (T1 and T2) durations such as C>A>B.
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Introduction: Antimicrobial-resistant HAI (Healthcare associated infection) are a global challenge due to their impact on patient outcome. Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programmes (AMSP) is needed at institutional and national levels. Assessment of core capacities for AMSP is an important starting point to initiate nationwide AMSP. We conducted an assessment of the core capacities for AMSP in a network of Indian hospitals, which are part of the Global Health Security Agenda-funded work on capacity building for AMR-HAIs. Subjects and Methods: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's core assessment checklist was modified as per inputs received from the Indian network. The assessment tool was filled by twenty hospitals as a self-administered questionnaire. The results were entered into a database. The cumulative score for each question was generated as average percentage. The scores generated by the database were then used for analysis. Results and Conclusion: The hospitals included a mix of public and private sector hospitals. The network average of positive responses for leadership support was 45%, for accountability; the score was 53% and for key support for AMSP, 58%. Policies to support optimal antibiotic use were present in 59% of respondents, policies for procurement were present in 79% and broad interventions to improve antibiotic use were scored as 33%. A score of 52% was generated for prescription-specific interventions to improve antibiotic use. Written policies for antibiotic use for hospitalised patients and outpatients were present on an average in 72% and 48% conditions, respectively. Presence of process measures and outcome measures was scored at 40% and 49%, respectively, and feedback and education got a score of 53% and 40%, respectively. Thus, Indian hospitals can start with low-hanging fruits such as developing prescription policies, restricting the usage of high antibiotics, enforcing education and ultimately providing the much-needed leadership support.
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Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of adjunctive photodynamic therapy (PDT) (using 810 nm diode laser and Indocyanine green as photosensitizer) in chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Patients with untreated chronic periodontitis were included. Treatment was done according to a split mouth design. All sites received periodontal treatment comprising scaling and root-planing (SRP). Test group were additionally treated with PDT. Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD) and Relative Attachment Level (RAL) were evaluated at baseline, 1 month and 3 months. Results: Mean baseline values for PI, GI, PPD and RAL were not different in the test group and control group. Statistical significant difference in PPD and RAL, 3 months after treatment was seen in test group as compared to the control group. Conclusions: In patients with chronic periodontitis, clinical outcomes of conventional SRP can be improved by adjunctive PDT.
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Context: Overdentures are the choice of treatment for most of them, but the only snag is its cost. In India, the rural areas are still deprived of quality treatment. This manuscript is showcasing a study, which is a cheaper, but effective way to provide the best to the patient. Aims: The aim of this study was to develop a custom made system, which can be used as an alternative treatment for the management of patients who need overdentures. The primary objective of this study was to provide a cost-effective attachment with the best functional efficacy. Materials and Methods: The semi-precision attachments were made by using the conventional technique of preparation of post space. The patterns were prepared by using the pattern resin material and the rest of the male and female attachments were fabricated by using innovative methods fulfilling the criteria. Results: The attachments were successfully used in patients with remarkably good function and comfort. Conclusion: It was a successful attempt to provide the specialized treatment in affordable cost. There is a need of innovative work to make the sophisticated systems more economical and readily available.
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Inflammation forms the part of various diseased conditions. To treat inflammation variety of anti inflammatory agents are synthesized, they showed undesirable side effects. In order to avoid these side effects, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were developed. Research is a continuous and never ending process; efforts are being made to improve the present drug profile such that present side effects can be eliminated. Syntheses of number of naphthalene derivatives with pyrazole moiety were completed. The present classification records for numerous naphthalene derivatives (naproxen and nabumetone) and also many anti-inflammatory drugs containing diaryl heterocycle(celecoxib,rofecoxib) are available as reference, therefore some new non-vicinal 3,5 diaryl heterocycles,in which naphthalene as one of aryl ring and pyrazole as central scaffold was prepared and evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity. The purity of all compounds has been examined by the TLC and structure is confirmed by different analytical techniques like IR, Mass spectroscopy and NMR. Further, the synthesized drugs were evaluated for in vivo anti inflammatory activity by carrageenan induced rat paw edema test using Indomethacin as a standard drug. In conclusion, we have found that two compounds showed equipotent activity while other two showed slightly more anti-inflammatory activity respectively.