Targeting self-care adherence for glycaemic control in multimorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus with depression using bupropion: a protocol for cross-over randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes and depression are among the 10 biggest health burdens globally. They often coexist and exhibit a strong bidirectional relationship. Depression leads to decreased adherence to self-care activities. This impacts glycaemic control and worsens type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Both conditions have a synergistic effect and lead to greater complications, hospitalisations, healthcare expenditure and a worse quality of life. There is no consensus on managing people with comorbid T2D and depression. Bupropion is an efficacious antidepressant with many properties suitable for T2D with depression, including a favourable metabolic profile, persistent weight loss and improvement in sexual dysfunction. We will assess the efficacy and safety of add-on bupropion compared with standard care in people with T2D and mild depression. This study can give valuable insights into managing the multimorbidity of T2D and depression. This can help mitigate the health, social and economic burden of both these diseases. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-over randomised controlled trial will recruit people with T2D (for 5 years or more) with mild depression. They will be randomised to add-on bupropion and standard care. After 3 months of treatment, there will be a washout period of 1 month (without add-on bupropion while standard treatment will continue). Following this, the two arms will be swapped. Participants will be assessed for glycosylated haemoglobin, adherence to diabetes self-care activities, lipid profile, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, autonomic function, sexual function, quality of life and adverse events. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Institutional Ethics Committee at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur has approved this study (AIIMS/IEC/2022/4172, 19 September 2022). We plan to disseminate the research findings via closed group discussions at the site of study, scientific conferences, peer-reviewed published manuscripts and social media. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CTRI/2022/10/046411.

Effect of Heat Treatment on the Material Property and Cell Viability of Wire Arc Additively Manufactured Ti6Al4 V.

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) holds promise for producing medium to large industrial components. Application of WAAM in the manufacturing of biomedical materials has not yet been evaluated. The current study addresses two key research questions: first, the suitability of the WAAMed Ti6Al4V alloy for biomedical applications, and second, the effect of Ti6Al4V's constituents (α and ß phases) on the cell viability. The WAAMed Ti6Al4V alloy was fabricated (as-deposited: AD) using a metal inert gas (MIG)-based wire arc system using an in-house designed shielding chamber filled with argon. Subsequently, samples were subjected to solution treatment (950 °C for 1 h), followed by aging at 480 °C (T1), 530 °C (T2), and 580 °C (T3) for 8 h and subsequent normalization to ambient conditions. Microstructural analysis revealed ∼45.45% of α'-Ti colonies in the as-deposited samples, reducing to 23.26% postaging at 580 °C (T3). The α-lath thickness and interstitial oxygen content in the sample were observed to be proportional to the aging temperature, peaking at 580 °C (T3). Remarkably, during tribocorrosion analysis in simulated body fluid, the 580 °C-aged T3 sample displayed the lowest corrosion rate (7.9 µm/year) and the highest coefficient of friction (CoF) at 0.58, showing the effect of increasing oxygen content in the alloy matrix. Cell studies showed significant growth at 530 and 580 °C by day 7, correlated with higher oxygen content, while other samples had declining cell density. Additionally, optimal metallurgical property ranges were identified to enhance the Ti6Al4V alloy's biocompatibility, providing crucial insights for biomedical implant development.

Mapping of traditional healthcare providers and their healing approaches in a tribal community of district Sirohi, Rajasthan.

Introduction: Traditional applications of medicinal plants in healthcare practices provide indication to new therapeutic concepts; hence, their relevance is highly recognized. The objective of the study was to map the traditional healers from the aspirational district and scientific documentation of their healing practices to treat various diseases. Method: This was community-based study in tribal subpopulation zone of district Sirohi. The data was collected through field survey and interviews of tribal healers by using semi-structured questionnaire. Result: We identified 1015 tribal healers (68% male and 32% female), and all belong to Bhil, Meena, and Garasia communities of district Sirohi. The mean age was 60.45 ± 16.56 years, 82.6% healers were uneducated, and 12.6% had primary education, while 1.2% were graduates. Tribal healers act as primary point of care for tribal community and practiced various treatment modalities including herbal healing (32.7%), diviners (28.9%), child birth attendant (24.7%), and bone setters (13.7%). We recorded 88 herbal healing practices from tribal communities of district Sirohi and scientifically documented. The common diseases treated by tribal healers included wound healing, skin infection, fever, arthritis, pain, diarrhea, cough, and cold. The Fabaceae family was credited with highest number (17%) of plants used by herbal healers. It was also noted that some of the plants used for medicinal purpose are endangered and overexhausted. Conclusion: Ethnopharmacological data is the foundation for further validation and value addition of herbal healthcare practices. The mapping of indigenous knowledge holders and scientific documentation of their knowledge might be a crucial step for providing clue regarding new therapeutic molecules.

Resonant Energy Transfer-Mediated Efficient Hole Transfer in the Ternary Blend Organic Solar Cells.

The ternary blend approach accomplished improved spectral coverage and enhanced the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, the role of the third component in improving the photovoltaic parameters needs critical analysis. Here, we introduced a wide band gap n-type twisted perylene diimide (TPDI) into the PM6:Y6 blend as a third component that improves spectral coverage and morphology, resulting in an overall increase in the efficiency of the OSCs. TPDI acts as an antenna for efficient energy- and charge-transfer processes. A systematic study compared charge- and energy-transfer dynamics and the orientational dependence nanomorphology of ternary blends with those of their binary counterparts. Femtosecond transient absorption measurements reveal enhanced hole-transfer efficiency in finely tuned ternary mixtures. This study provides a rational approach to identifying a third component to improve light management and morphology. These parameters enhance the energy and charge-transfer processes, improving the PCE of OSCs.

Apremilast Add-On Benefits Over Conventional Drugs (ABCD) in Unstable Non-segmental Vitiligo: A 12-Week Single-Center Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Apremilast is an oral phosphodiesterase-4 enzyme inhibitor that modulates the immune system by increasing intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels and inhibiting inflammatory cytokines synthesis. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of add-on apremilast in combination therapy with standard treatment in patients with unstable, non-segmental vitiligo. Methods The study was a 12-week randomized, controlled, parallel-group, open-labeled trial. The control group received standard treatment (n=15), and the intervention group received 30 mg apremilast twice daily in addition to standard treatment (n= 16). Time to the first sign of re-pigmentation, halt in progression, and change in vitiligo area scoring index (VASI) score is the primary outcomes. Normality was assessed, and appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests were undertaken. Results Thirty-seven participants were randomized into two groups, and analysis was done on thirty-one participants. Over the treatment duration of 12 weeks, the median time to observe the first sign of re-pigmentation was four weeks in the add-on apremilast group compared to seven weeks in the control group (p=0.018). The halt in progression was observed more in the add-on Apremilast group (93.75%) compared to the control group (66.66%) (p=0.08). The VASI score decreased by 1.24 in the add-on apremilast group and 0.05 in the control group (p= 0.754). Parameters including body surface area, dermatology life quality index, and body mass index reduced significantly, while the visual analog scale increased significantly in the add-on apremilast group. However, results were comparable between groups. Conclusions Treatment with add-on apremilast accelerated clinical improvement. It also reduced disease progression and improved the disease index among participants. However, add-on apremilast had a lower tolerability profile than the control group.

Interface Engineering in Perylene Diimide-Based Organic Photovoltaics with Enhanced Photovoltage.

The introduction of nonfullerene acceptors (NFA) facilitated the realization of high-efficiency organic solar cells (OSCs); however, OSCs suffer from relatively large losses in open-circuit voltage (VOC) as compared to inorganic or perovskite solar cells. Further enhancement in power conversion efficiency requires an increase in VOC. In this work, we take advantage of the high dipole moment of twisted perylene-diimide (TPDI) as a nonfullerene acceptor (NFA) to enhance the VOC of OSCs. In multiple bulk heterojunction solar cells incorporating TPDI with three polymer donors (PTB7-Th, PM6 and PBDB-T), we observed a VOC enhancement by modifying the cathode with a polyethylenimine (PEIE) interlayer. We show that the dipolar interaction between the TPDI NFA and PEIE─enhanced by the general tendency of TPDI to form J-aggregates─plays a crucial role in reducing nonradiative voltage losses under a constant radiative limit of VOC. This is aided by comparative studies with PM6:Y6 bulk heterojunction solar cells. We hypothesize that incorporating NFAs with significant dipole moments is a feasible approach to improving the VOC of OSCs.

Therapeutic spectrum of piperine for clinical practice: a scoping review.

Translation of traditional knowledge of herbs into a viable product for clinical use is still an uphill task. Piperine, a pungent alkaloid molecule derived from Piper nigrum and Piper longum possesses diverse pharmacological effects. Traditionally, pepper is used for arthritis, bronchitis, gastritis, diarrhea, snake bite, menstrual pain, fever, and bacterial infections, etc. The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory actions of piperine are the possible mechanisms behind its therapeutic potential. Various in-silico and experimental studies have shown piperine as a possible promising molecule in coronavirus disease (COVID-19), ebola, and dengue due to its immunomodulatory and antiviral activities. The other important clinical applications of piperine are due to its bio enhancing effect on drugs, by modulating, absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, altering activities of transporters like p-glycoprotein substrates, and modulating drug metabolism by altering the expression of cytochrome P450 or UDP-glucuronosyltransferase enzymes. Piperine attracted clinicians in treating patients with arthritis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, skin infections, gastric and liver disorders. This review focused on systematic, evidence-based insight into the use of piperine in clinical settings and mechanistic details behind its therapeutic actions. Also, highlights a number of clinical trials of piperine at various stages exploring its clinical application in cancer, neurological, respiratory, and viral disease, etc.

Assesement of serum Sfrp5/Wnt-5a level and its utility in the risk stratification of treatment naïve patients with metabolic syndrome.

Our study focused on investigating the clinical significance of serum Sfrp5/Wnt-5a levels as a risk marker in metabolic syndrome (MetS). The study involved a total of 107 treatment-naive MetS cases and 100 controls with similar age and sex belonging to northern India. The profiling of clinical, biochemical, and anthropometric variables was done. ELISA methods were employed for serum cytokine estimation. Serum Sfrp5 was inversely correlated with BMI, WC, SBP, DBP, FPG, TG, fasting insulin level, and HOMA-IR in both males and females. The best cutoff value for Sfrp5 to predict MetS in males was ≤40.48 ng/ml (sensitivity 53.70% and specificity 90.48%), while in female, it was ≤66.67 ng/ml (sensitivity 98.11% and specificity 34.48%). MetS occurrence decreased with increasing concentration of Sfrp5 with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.95 (95% CI = 0.92-0.98, P < .001) in male and 0.93 (95% CI = 0.91-0.97, P < .001) in female. Quartile analysis revealed that odds of MetS significantly decreased in quartile 4 vs. 1, 0.06 (95% CI = 0.01-0.25), P = .001 and 0.13 (95% CI = 0.04-0.44), P = .001, respectively, in male and female. The inverse association of serum concentration of Sfrp5 with MetS might have a useful addition to the available risk marker as well as a therapeutic target for MetS.

Gap identification for improvement in maternal and early infant health care practices among tribal pregnant women in an aspirational tribal district Sirohi, Rajasthan.

Background: Sirohi is one of the aspirational districts of Rajasthan which is also tribal-dominated. The maternal and early infant health indicators are worrisome compared to regional or national statistics. First-trimester registration of pregnant women is 54% in district Sirohi, which is much less as compared to registration in the state of Rajasthan (63%) and India (59%). Four antenatal care (ANC) visits of pregnant women are 32% in district Sirohi, which is also much less as compared to ANC visits in the state of Rajasthan (39%) and India (51%). However, there was no tribal-specific data regarding maternal and early infant health. Objective: The study aims to identify gaps for improvement in maternal and early infant health care practices among tribal pregnant women in an aspirational tribal district of Sirohi, Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among 560 tribal pregnant women to assess the existing maternal, and early infant health care knowledge and practices through a pre-validated questionnaire in the tribal population of district Sirohi Rajasthan. Result: Nineteen per cent (19.5%, n = 109) of tribal pregnant women got married between the age of 10 and 17 (less than the legal age of marriage of 18 years). There is a significant relationship between early age at marriage and low educational status P < 0.001, r = 0.241 among participants. Measurement of weight, blood pressure and urine examination was done in 32.5% (n = 181), 19.5% (n = 109) and 7.1% (n = 39), respectively, among tribal pregnant women. The majority (94.6%) of the pregnant tribal women (385/407) were anaemic. Approximately 60% (n = 337) of mothers were unaware of thermal protection (skin-to-skin care). Sixty per cent (n = 334) of tribal pregnant women preferred to seek consultation regarding antenatal and infant health care from doctors, while 40.1% (n = 224) were more comfortable seeking advice from traditional birth attendants (TBAs). Conclusion: The study finds inadequate knowledge and practice towards maternal and early infant care among tribal pregnant women. As TBAs influence tribal pregnant women, systematic training and involvement of TBAs in maternal and child health are indispensable.

Evaluation of the Effect of FOXO3 rs13217795 Genotype and Minor Allele (C) on Clinical Chemistry and Genetic Risk of Diabetes Among the Elderly Individuals from Northern India.

The forkhead box O family (FOXO) is expressed ubiquitously in a spatio-temporal manner and plays a key role in cellular metabolism, senescence, and aging. Genetic mutations in FOXO lead to metabolic diseases and cancer, and affect the longevity of individuals. Our study investigated how the genetic risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) altered due to an intronic variant rs13217795 of the longevity-associated FOXO3 gene in the geriatric population of North India. Genotypic characteristics of rs13217795 were determined among 347 age sex-matched (177 diabetic cases, 170 healthy controls) elderly individuals by TaqMan SNP assays after clinical assessment. Clinical chemistry and circulating cytokines level were assessed by biochemical and immunoassays. Genotype frequencies were not significantly (p = 0.526) different between cases and controls. The minor allele (C) frequency in diabetic cases and controls was 0.47 and 0.49, respectively (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.69-1.26, p > 0.05). The minor allele was associated with lower fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 (p < 0.05). The homozygous minor allele carriers showed significantly lower levels of FPG, HOMA-IR, and TNF-α in T2DM patients. The minor allele (C) of intronic polymorphism in FOXO3 (rs13217795: T/C) confers the protective role characterized by its association with a decrease in glycemic and insulin resistance and proinflammatory markers.

SNPs of FOXO1 and Their Interactions Contributes to the Enhanced Risk of Diabetes Among Elderly Individuals.

We have assessed the impact of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Forkhead Box O1 (FOXO1) and their interaction on susceptibility of type 2 diabetes mellitus in geriatric population from northern India. We genotyped three SNPs (rs2721068, rs17446614, and rs4581585) of FOXO1 gene in 190 elderly individuals with diabetes and 182 unrelated healthy controls of similar ethnicity by using TaqMan SNP assays. SNP-SNP and SNP-environment interactions among polymorphic loci were studied by the multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) method. The AA genotype carriers of rs17446614 was associated with the increased susceptibility of diabetes in both adjusted and unadjusted model, whereas rs4581585 was associated with the risk in unadjusted model only. Genotype and minor allele interaction with quantitative parameters revealed that AA genotype of rs17446614 had significantly higher fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in diabetic subjects, also minor allele (A) in patients was positively associated with FPG and glycated hemoglobin. Haplotype Trs2721068Grs17446614Trs4581585 increases the risk of diabetes, whereas carrier of haplotypes Crs2721068Grs17446614Crs4581585 and Crs2721068 Grs17446614Trs4581585 were protective. The MDR analysis revealed that interaction of rs17446614 with body mass index (BMI) increased the susceptibility of diabetes. Therefore presence of rs17446614 variant and its interaction with BMI and haplotype Trs2721068Grs17446614Trs4581585 modulates the risk of diabetes and can be used as a promising tool for identifying high-risk individuals.

No Association Between a Genetic Variant of FOXO3 and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly Population of North India.

Aging can be considered an evolutionary process that is modulated by various genetic and biochemical processes. Therefore the genetic variants may interplay a role in human longevity as well as age related illness. Forkhead Box O (FOXO) gene is one of the major defensive genes that are known for ameliorating lifespan. FOXO proteins act as nuclear transcription factors that facilitate the action of insulin or insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in various physiological processes. The rationale of our study is to find out association between genetic variant rs2253310 of FOXO3 and risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in elderly population. This case control study involved 172 age sex matched elderly subjects while patients were recruited as per IDF criteria. Clinical, biochemical, ELISA methods were employed for assesement of clinical samples while Taqman method was used for genotyping analysis. Our results revealed that there was no significant difference in genotypic and allelic frequencies for the tested SNP (p > 0.05) between elderly T2DM patients and controls. The SNP rs2253310 was not associated with risk of T2DM in any genetic model. Also no association was found among the studied group between FOXO3 variant and HOMA-IR, HOMA-B index and Fasting plasma glucose. Serum level of inflammatory markers like CRP and TNF-α was significantly higher in patients but its not associated with SNP rs2253310. Our study concluded that, this intronic longevity-associated variant rs2253310 in FOXO3 is not associated with type 2 diabetes in geriatric patients of northern India.

Anti-diabetic Effect of Emblica-officinalis (Amla) Against Arsenic Induced Metabolic Disorder in Mice.

Chronic exposure to arsenic through drinking water and occupational exposure has been found to be associated with the diabetic symptoms. Earlier, we reported that arsenic induced enhanced oxidative stress, inflammation, dislipidemia and hepatotoxicity in mice have been protected by treatment with Emblica officinalis (amla). The present study has therefore been focused to investigate the efficacy of amla in mitigation of arsenic induced hyperglycemia in mice. Arsenic exposure (3 mg/kg b.w./day for 30 days) in mice altered glucose homeostasis and significantly decreases hepatic glucose regulatory enzyme, glucokinase (43%), glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (38%), malic enzyme (60%) and significantly increases the level of glucose-6 phosphates (65%), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (43%), lactate, (59%) Na+ (6.8%) Cl- (10.4%), anion gap (13.9%) and pancreatic (IL-1ß, TNF-α) inflammation markers (52%, 53%) as compared to controls. Arsenic exposure also significantly decreased serum insulin (44%) and c-peptide protein (38%) in mice as compared to controls. Co-administration of arsenic and amla (500 mg/kg b.w./day for 30 days) balanced blood sugar level, hepatic glucose regulatory enzyme (glucokinase, glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme (68%, 37%, 45%) and significantly decreases glucose-6 phosphatase (25%), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (22%), blood ion concentration and also lactate, Na+, Cl- and anion gap (20%, 4.6%, 6.7%, 5.2%), pancreatic (IL-1ß, TNF-α) inflammation marker (21%, 24%) and significantly increased the serum insulin (57%) and c-peptide protein (31%) as compared to those treated with arsenic alone. Results of the present study suggests that the hypoglycemic and antioxidant property of amla could be responsible for its protective efficacy in arsenic induced hyperglycemia.

Assessment of drug prescribing pattern using world health organization indicators in a tertiary care teaching hospital.

This cross-sectional study was carried out to assess drug prescribing pattern at a tertiary care teaching medical institute. One thousand prescriptions were randomly collected and analyzed using the world health organization prescribing indicators. The average number of drugs per prescription was 2.91. The percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name, from the essential drug list (National) and as fixed dose combinations (FDCs) was 10.05%, 22.57%, and 49.22%, respectively. The total percentage of encounters with antibiotics, injectables, and FDCs was 19.70%, 2.20%, and 73.60%, respectively. The most common group of drug prescribed was gastrointestinal tract drugs (26.38%) followed by Vitamins and Minerals (23.12%), cardiovascular system drugs (11.56%) and antimicrobials (9.63%). The prescribing practices were not appropriate as they consist of polypharmacy, lesser prescription by generic name, and overprescription of FDCs. There is a need for improvement in the standards of prescribing patterns in many aspects.

Traditional knowledge to clinical trials: A review on therapeutic actions of Emblica officinalis.

Plants are the integral part of the traditional indigenous healthcare system and are becoming concrete source of new drug discovery, evident by the increasing numbers of modern drugs derived from the phytochemicals. Emblica officinalis Gaertn. or Phyllanthus emblica Linn (family Phyllanthaceae) has been explained extensively and well documented for its therapeutic efficacies in indigenous system of medicine, in India. Every part of this plant possesses high medicinal value but fruits are the most valuable part in folklore and therapeutic uses. The polyphenols found in E.officinalis, especially tannins and flavonoids are key responsible elements for major bioactivities. E.officinalis is one of the major component in various health tonics, also exerts synergistic effects in enhancing the medicinal efficacy. E.officinalis exhibits broad spectrum of pharmacological activities through various mode of actions including antioxidant, anticancer, immunomodulator, anti-inflammatory, cyto-protective properties etc. Medical practitioners across the globe also advocated its application in managing diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, several types of cancer, liver disorders, arthritis, gingivitis, wound healing etc. The present review analysed and summarized the pharmacological actions, experimental studies and clinical trials of E. officinalis with emphasis on its immuno-enhancer, antiinflammatory and anticancer activities and possible mechanism of actions to provide future directions in translating these findings clinically.

Comparative Effect of Insulin Sensitizers and Statin on Metabolic Profile and Ultrasonographical Score in Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disorder involving fat accumulation in the liver. The initial management for patients with NAFLD includes lifestyle modification and weight loss in overweight or obese patients. AIM: The present study was conducted to compare the efficacy of insulin sensitizers and statin in the patients of NAFLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 98 patients diagnosed with NAFLD on USG (Ultrasonography) abdomen, divided into three Groups randomly and administered Metformin (Group I), Rosuvastatin (Group II) or Pioglitazone (Group III) along with dietary intervention and lifestyle modification. Their Body Mass Index (BMI), liver function tests, fasting lipid profile, USG scores for fatty liver were done and followed up at 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 week for change in above parameters. RESULTS: Out of the three Groups, Group II showed a maximum improvements in usg scores for NAFLD (p<0.001) and fasting lipid profile. Group II also showed maximum derangement of liver enzymes at 24 weeks though none of the subjects had more than three times elevation of liver enzymes. CONCLUSION: Rosuvastatin may be an effective therapy as add on treatment to dietary and lifestyle intervention in patients of NAFLD. As an add-on treatment Rosuvastatin was superior to Pioglitazone or Metformin and acute decompensation is unlikely with this drug. Metformin was not effective as add on therapy for NAFLD, rather rapid weight loss in short period of time resulted in worsening of hepatic steatosis.

Correlation of Serum and Salivary Cytokines Level With Clinical Parameters in Metabolic Syndrome With Periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) and chronic oral condition (periodontitis [PD]) are state of inflammation. The study was conducted to determine alterations in serum and salivary cytokines level in MS and/or chronic PD in the North Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study carried out in northern part of India. The study subjects of similar ethnicity were recruited according to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria for MS, while chronic PD was diagnosed on the basis of packet depth and clinical attachment level. ELISA method was employed to assess cytokine level. All subjects were divided in four groups Gr A (MS + PD), B (MS), C (PD), and a control Gr D. RESULTS: The serum and salivary tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) level in Gr A, B, and C was significantly higher than Gr D (P < 0.05). Serum interleukin-10 (IL-10) level in Gr A, B, and C was lower than Gr D (P < 0.05), but this difference was not significant between Gr C and Gr D. Serum IL-10 level in Gr A was significantly lower than Gr C (P < 0.05). Salivary IL-10 level was not significantly altered in any group. CONCLUSIONS: Proinflammatory marker TNF-α has correlation with clinical parameters in patients of MS having PD. The study suggests level of salivary TNF-α may be utilized as a surrogate marker of MS and PD.

Protective effect of Emblica-officinalis in arsenic induced biochemical alteration and inflammation in mice.

Exposure to arsenic in individuals has been found to be associated with immune related problems. In earlier studies, we have demonstrated that amla protects against arsenic induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in thymus and spleen of mice. In continuation to that the present study has therefore been focused to investigate the protective efficacy of amla in arsenic induced inflammation and immunotoxicity in mice. The results showed that arsenic treatment significantly increased serum urea levels (69 %), glucose levels (48 %) and triglyceride levels (66 %) as compared to controls. Mice exposed to arsenic exhibited significant increased in TNF-α (4.3-fold), serum Interleukin-1 beta (threefold), Interleukin-6 (3.8-fold) as compared to controls. Arsenic exposure increased the relative frequency of CD8+ (Tc) cells sub-population (18.9 %) and decreased CD4+ (Th) cells (2.6 %). Arsenic exposure also significantly decreased T (CD3) and B (CD19) cells (21.1 %) as compared to controls. Simultaneously treatment with arsenic and amla significantly inhibited serum urea levels (47 %), glucose levels (50 %) and triglyceride levels (14 %). It also significantly decreased the TNF-α (1.1-fold), levels of IL-1ß (1.6-fold), levels of Interleukin-6 (1.3-fold) in serum as compared to those treated with arsenic alone. Simultaneously treatment with arsenic and amla restored the alterations in CD8+ and CD4+ cells and also recovered the damages in B and T sub cells population. Results of the present study clearly indicate that arsenic induced immunotoxicity linked with inflammation has been significantly protected through simultaneous treatment with arsenic and amla that was due to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of amla.

High serum level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and promoter polymorphism - 1562 C:T as a new risk factor for metabolic syndrome.

The altered matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been suggested in the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Genetic variants in the promoter region of MMP1 and MMP9 genes may modulate an individual's susceptibility to MetS. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of MMP1 -519 A:G and MMP9 -1562 C:T polymorphisms and the correlation with serum levels of MMP1 and MMP9 in MetS susceptibility. On the basis of anthropometric profile and laboratory investigations, 180 confirmed MetS patients and 190 unrelated healthy controls of similar ethnicity were genotyped for MMP1 -519 A:G and MMP9-1562 C:T polymorphisms by using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. In addition, serum levels of MMP1 and MMP9 were quantified by ELISA. We found that the serum level of MMP9 was significantly higher in MetS patients. Variant genotype TT of MMP9 -1562 demonstrated increased risk (odds ratio [OR]=3.70, p=0.015) of MetS. Similarly, variant allele T (OR=1.77, p=0.002) and combined genotype CT+TT (OR=1.81, p=0.057) also showed a significantly higher risk. The CT and TT genotypes of MMP9 -1562 polymorphism contributed to high serum levels of MMP9 in MetS patients. However, no such association was observed with the MMP1 serum level and -519 A:G polymorphism. Our results suggest that a higher serum level of MMP9 in the presence of MMP9 polymorphism -1562 C:T might be a risk factor for the development of MetS. The MMP9 enzyme activity might be a significant indicator in the screening of MetS patients.

No evidence of correlation between p53 codon 72 G > C gene polymorphism and cancer risk in Indian population: a meta-analysis.

p53 is a tumor suppressor gene, which is activated in response to several forms of cellular stress and exerts multiple antiproliferative functions, making it the most frequent target for genetic alteration in cancer. Various studies have evaluated the association between p53 codon 72 G > C (rs1042522) polymorphism and risk of cancer. However, results from the published studies remained inconclusive. The aim of this study is to investigate the precise association between this variant and a risk of cancer in a large-scale meta-analysis. We searched the PubMed (MEDLINE) and Google Scholar web databases for studies regarding the association of p53 codon 72 G > C polymorphism and risk of cancer in the Indian population. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) were calculated by using random effect model to assess the association. Twenty studies with 3,258 cancer cases and 4,260 healthy controls were included. Overall, no significant association was detected for C allele carrier (C vs. G: OR = 1.135, 95 % CI = 0.930 to 1.386, p = 0.211) and homozygous (CC vs. GG: OR = 1.200, 95 % CI = 0.810 to 1.779, p = 0.364), heterozygous (CG vs. GG: OR = 1.204, 95 % CI = 0.921 to 1.575, p = 0.175), dominant (CC + CG vs. GG: OR = 1.231, 95 % CI = 0.932 to 1.625, p = 0.144), and recessive (CC vs. GG + GC: OR = 1.078, 95 % CI = 0.792 to 1.468, p = 0.632) genetic models, respectively. No significant publication bias was observed by using Begg's funnel plot and Egger's test. Present meta-analysis indicated that the p53 codon 72 G > C polymorphism was not associated with cancer risk. This suggests that this polymorphism may not be an independent risk factor for cancer in the Indian population.