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Objective: Preterm delivery is a major adverse birth outcome, approximately 15 million babies are born prematurely every year. There are several causes for preterm deliveries. This study focuses on folate metabolic pathways. Dietary folate plays a crucial role in premature labor. We examined the relationship between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) (C677T) and thymidylate synthase (TYMS) 6bpdel polymorphism. Materials and Methods: A total number of 300 pregnant women were selected for this study; among which ( n = 150) were preterm and ( n = 150) were term delivery cases. The selected samples were further processed for molecular polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The demographic profile of birth status resulted significantly with ( P = 0.0001) proving chances of high infant mortality due to prematurity. Results: The genotype distribution of MTHFR C677T showed significant data ( P = 0.0021) whereas insignificant genotypic distribution was observed for the TYMS gene ( P = 0.067). Our results imply that genes that are involved in the folate pathway play a crucial role in early pregnancy. Conclusion: Advanced and better strategies can be brought to an improved intervention of folate at the time of pregnancy which will help to reduce the rate of premature deliveries.
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Introduction: At end of 2019, a novel coronavirus caused severe acute respiratory syndrome, which emerged in Wuhan, Hubei province of China. Health professionals have always used conventional mapping (in recent times geographic information systems [GIS] mapping) as a useful tool for better tracking which further facilitated better management of deadly contagions such as SARS-CoV 2. This study aimed to map geographically the positive patients admitted in a dedicated COVID-19 hospital which is a tertiary care hospital from April to June 2020 to gain insight into the local viral transmission and pattern of geographical spread because of ongoing cluster transmission. Objectives: The aims of this study were (1) to locate geographically the COVID-19 cases admitted from April to June 2020 at a tertiary health-care facility, (2) to study trends and patterns of geographical spread, and (3) to identify geographical clustering of cases, if any. Materials and Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional, secondary data-based study. The study was conducted at MGM Medical College Hospital, Kamothe. The data were collected from existing surveillance and lab data records. The data were analyzed in Excel and Epi info. Specialized GIS software was used for mapping to Taluka level based on patients’ addresses using standard “.shp” files for the local area. Results: There were a total of 968 cases. The majority of which were from Raigad district (839, 87%). The Panvel taluka in Raigad District having Panvel as a major city and the thickly populated urban area has shown clustering of cases extending to neighboring Uran taluka. Conclusion: For better preparedness, we need to keep tracking new outbreaks through GIS and promote further advances in mapping technologies.
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Although in vivo studies have been modeled using higher mammal systems, the lower vertebrate zebrafish (Danio rerio) has gained tremendous attention as a model system. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) attract the interest of scientists due to their promising potential applications in medicine and targeted drug delivery. The purpose to use GNPs in vivo is that gold in bulk form is nontoxic and apply the positive potentials of nanoparticles. Bulk gold is century-long accepted as a safeto- use metal. Gold in its nanoform has distinct chemical and physical properties and the large amount of surface atoms make GNPs reactive. Moreover, GNPs can potentially access many cellular or subcellular structures, which are unreachable by the larger compound and may induce toxic effects. This paper addresses effects of spherical GNPs of average size 15 nm on reproductive organs after subacute exposure in adult male and female zebrafish. Gold nanoparticles were chemically synthesized and characterized by transmission electron microscope. The primary objective of this study was to determine if exposure to GNPs altered cellular morphology of gonads. The adult fish of both sexes were administered orally with these GNPs at a dose of 20 µg/gm. At the end of the study, quantification of gold content was estimated using two different tools: inductive coupled plasmon-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and inductive coupled plasmon-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). No gold metal accumulation was detected in treated group of male and female zebrafish at subacute exposures on estimation through ICP-AES. On analysis using ICP-MS, 0.44 ± 0.18 µg/gm organ weight was detected in ovaries and 4.6 ± 3.20 µg/gm organ weight was detected in testes of treated groups. However, the pattern of accumulation was found to be nonsignificant when compared with the control group at a p-value >0.05. Histopathological analysis of reproductive organs showed no significant changes in cellular morphology of testes and ovaries.
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Background: The need to identify causes of drug induced kidney failure has been underscored by International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) regulated agencies. In our earlier studies on adverse drug reaction (ADR) reported in Canada Vigilance Adverse Reaction Online Database it was observed that drugs azathioprine, clozaril/clozapine, diclofenac sodium, diflucan/ fluconazole, furosemide, indomethacin, metformin, micardis/ telmisartan, viread/tenofovir, and zyprexa/olanzapine lead to kidney failure. Method: Attempts have been made to understand the physiological process via bioinformatics perspective. This was done by active site identification for cytochrome P450 along with multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1). Docking against the drugs in these proteins that are categorically involved in drug binding based on their pharmacological actions are as per drug bank annotations. Results: Cytochrome P450 2C19 protein showed better interactions with drug indomethacin with a maximum score of -119.2 kcal/mol followed by drug clozaril with a score of -102.5 kcal/mol. This was finally followed by of drug zyprexa with a score of -101.0 kcal/mol. The residues which are actively involved with the drug indomethacin include Arg97 and Arg433. Drug clozaril shows interaction with Ala297. For drug zyprexa the residues like Arg97, Ala297 and Cys435 interact with the protein. For MRP1, even though it showed better binding scores for drugs azathioprine, indomethacin, diflucan and furosemide. But still, they are not able to interact within the pocket, leaving it empty during docking studies. Conclusion: Through this study, it was possible to identify active site pocket in the related proteins and the interacting amino acid residues of cytochrome P450 that may contribute to drug induced kidney failure.
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Changelings were raised regarding the feasibility of application envisioned by researchers in the field of molecular nanotechnology culminated into a development of new technique in research which rose in all the stream of biology and information technology. The paper depicts about the use of nanotechnology in multifunctional areas of clinical practices briefly. It has now become possible to overcome many biological, biophysical, and biomedical barriers in health sector. The paper has not only highlighted the importance of nanotechnology in diagnostic, imaging, therapeutic relationships but also focused on an interrelationship of nanotechnology with other chains of research fields such as; information technology, biotechnology, and medicine.
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Owing to widespread applications, synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles is recently attracting considerable attention. Increasing environmental concerns over chemical synthesis routes have resulted in attempts to develop biomimetic approaches. One of them is synthesis using plant parts, which eliminates the elaborate process of maintaining the microbial culture and often found to be kinetically favorable than other bioprocesses. The present study deals with investigating the effect of process microwave irradiation, interaction time on the morphology and size of silver nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous extract of Tulsi. Plant extract from ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from silver nitrate solution. Silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The formation and stability of the reduced silver nanoparticles in the colloidal solution was monitored by UV-Vis spectrophotometer analysis. Nanoparticles ranges from 20 to 40 nm in size with nearly spherical shape were produced. SEM determination of the brown color stable samples showed the formation of silver nanoparticles and well dispersed nanoparticles could be seen in the samples treated with silver nitrate. These silver nanoparticles have proven to be stable for more than 3 months. It can be inferred from the study that fne tuning the bioprocess parameters will enhance possibilities of desired nano-product tail or made for particular applications.
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Genotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles (Ag-np) in a vertebrate model system were investigated. Effects and accumulation patterns of silver nanoparticles were studied using zebrafish embryos. Nanoparticles of silver were synthesized by chemical reduction of silver nitrate, using sodium borohydride as reducing agent and polyvinyl pyrolidene as a stabilizer. These nanoparticles were characterized by UV/ Vis spectrophotometer (absorption spectra), Transmission electron microscopy and were found to have the size range of 4 to 10 nm. Evaluation of cytotoxicity was carried out at various concentrations to obtain the LD50 value. Dose dependent decrease in percent viability was observed on exposure of embryos to different concentrations of silver nanoparticles with LD50 of 1.0 µg/ml. The results indicate that silver nanoparticles induce a dose-dependent toxicity in embryos and abrogate normal development.