Anti HCV activity and expression inhibition of HCC markers by protein extract from Iberis gibraltarica / Atividade anti-HCV e inibição da expressão de marcadores HCC por extrato de proteína de Iberis gibraltarica

Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is the foremost reason of progressive hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis, with an elevated risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Medicinal plants have been used for human health benefits for several years, but their therapeutic potential needs to be explored. The main objective of this study was to figure out the in vitro antiviral and anticancer characteristics of total crude protein of Iberis gibraltarica against HCV and HCC. Total crude protein of Iberis gibraltarica was isolated and quantified. The level of cytotoxicity was measured against the HepG2 cell line and it shows no significant cytotoxicity at the concentration of 504µg/ml. The anti-HCV effect was determined by absolute quantification via real time RT-PCR method and viral titer was reduced up to 66% in a dose dependent manner against the total protein of Iberis gibraltarica. The anticancer potential of Iberis gibraltarica was also examined through mRNA expression studies of AFP and GPC3 genes against the total protein of Iberis gibraltarica-treated HepG2 cells. The results show up to 90% of the down-regulation expression of AFP and GPC3. The obtained results indicate the therapeutic potential of total protein of Iberis gibraltarica against HCV and hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro.

A infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C (HCV) é a principal causa de fibrose hepática progressiva e cirrose, com risco elevado de desenvolvimento de carcinoma hepatocelular (HCC). As plantas medicinais vêm sendo utilizadas para benefícios à saúde humana há vários anos, mas seu potencial terapêutico precisa ser explorado. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi descobrir as características antivirais e anticancerígenas in vitro da proteína bruta total de Iberis gibraltarica contra HCV e HCC. A proteína bruta total de Iberis gibraltarica foi isolada e quantificada. O nível de citotoxicidade foi medido contra a linha celular HepG2 e não apresenta citotoxicidade significativa na concentração de 504µg/ml. O efeito anti-HCV foi determinado por quantificação absoluta através do método RT-PCR em tempo real e o título viral foi reduzido em até 66% de forma dose-dependente contra a proteína total de Iberis gibraltarica. O potencial anticancerígeno de Iberis gibraltarica também foi examinado através de estudos de expressão de mRNA dos genes AFP e GPC3 contra a proteína total de células HepG2 tratadas com Iberis gibraltarica. Os resultados mostram até 90% da expressão de regulação negativa de AFP e GPC3. Os resultados obtidos indicam o potencial terapêutico da proteína total de Iberis gibraltarica contra HCV e carcinoma hepatocelular in vitro.

Experiences of Stigma and Discrimination of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Health-Care Settings of Kashmir

Stigma and discrimination create barriers for women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) in accessing quality health‑care services, affecting their well‑being and also increasing the number of cases. The current article studies issues of stigma and discrimination that WLHA experience in health‑care settings and highlights the importance of building awareness and sensitivity regarding HIV among all health‑care workers. This hospital‑based study was conducted in an anti‑retroviral therapy center in Kashmir. Twenty‑one WLHA participated in the study. The WLHA internalizes stigma and experiences shock, guilt, anger, and numbness while receiving a diagnosis. The stigma is socially constructed, having very little medical or logical basis. Verbal abuse, gossiping, expression of shock and disbelief of health‑care workers, discriminatory attitudes such as wearing multiple surgical gloves, denial of care and treatment, and disclosing their HIV‑positive status without their consent to their families and others have been learned. These experiences in health‑care institutions are disempowering for WLHA. Gender stereotyping and inequalities within health‑care settings and the discriminatory approach of some health practitioners toward women is the main barrier to accessing the services for HIV prevention, treatment and support services.

Verrucous epidermal naevus associated with woolly hair naeves.

An unusual case of verrucous epidermal naevus associated with woolly hair naevus of the scalp is being reported.

Aeopecia areata in Kashmir: a study of 200 patients.

Two hundred patients with alopecia areata who attended the Skin. O.P.D. were studied in respect to the age, sex and patterns and sites of involvement and other associated dermatoses.

Zinsser-Cole-Engmann syndrome.

Zinser-Cole-Engmann syndrome is a rare syndrome characterized by atrophy and pigmentation of skin, nail dystrophy and oral leukoplakia. Here we report a case of this rare entity.