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Abstract Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women globally, making its diagnosis and treatment challenging. The use of nanotechnology for cancer diagnosis and treatment is an emerging area of research. To address this issue, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were ligand exchanged with butyric acid (BA) to gain hydrophilic character. The successful functionalization was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. Surface morphology changes were observed using SEM, while TEM confirmed the structural integrity of the MWCNTs after functionalization. Particle size, zeta potential, and UV spectroscopy were also performed to further characterize the nanoparticles. The breast cancer aptamer specific to Mucin-1 (MUC-1) was then conjugated with the functionalized MWCNTs. These MWCNTs successfully targeted breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) as examined by cellular uptake studies and exhibited a reduction in cancer-induced inflammation, as evidenced by gene transcription (qPCR) and protein expression (immunoblotting) levels. Immunoblot and confocal-based immunofluorescence assay (IFA) indicated the ability of CNTs to induce photothermal cell death of MDA-MB-231 cells. Upon imaging, cancer cells were effectively visualized due to the MWCNTs’ ability to act as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Additionally, MWCNTs demonstrated photothermal capabilities to eliminate bound cancer cells. Collectively, our findings pave the way for developing aptamer-labeled MWCNTs as viable “theranostic alternatives” for breast cancer treatment. Graphical abstract

Abstract The current piece of research intends to evaluate the potential of combining etodolac with deformable-emulsomes, a flexible vesicular system, as a promising strategy for the topical therapy of arthritis. The developed carrier system featured nanometric dimensions (102 nm), an improved zeta potential (− 5.05 mV), sustained drug release (31.33%), and enhanced drug deposition (33.13%) of DE-gel vis-à-vis conventional system (10.34% and 14.71%). The amount of permeation of the developed nano formulation across skin layers was demonstrated through CLSM and dermatokinetics studies. The safety profile of deformable-emulsomes has been investigated through in vitro HaCaT cell culture studies and skin compliance studies. The efficacy of the DE-gel formulation was sevenfold higher in case of Xylene induced ear edema model and 2.2-folds in CFA induced arthritis model than that of group treated with conventional gel (p

Abstract The current work involves the use of dehydroacetic acid based chalcone derivatives for the synthesis of spirooxindole grafted pyrrolidine moieties. All the synthesized compounds have been characterized using spectroscopic techniques such as NMR (1H-NMR and 13C-NMR), IR, mass and elemental analysis. Molecular mechanics studies were performed to comprehend the regioselectivity in the product formation. Molecular docking of the synthesized compounds was performed with few bacterial proteins of Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa responsible for biofilm formation followed by molecular dynamics simulations with the potential lead compound. Further, to corroborate the results obtained via in silico study, anti-biofilm activity etc. of the synthesized compounds (4a–e) was checked for effectiveness against biofilm formation. Taken together, this study opens up to explore these compounds’ multiple roles in diverse fields in the arena of medical sciences.

Abstract Background Coronaviruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS), Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are associated with critical illnesses, including severe respiratory disorders. SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of the deadly COVID-19 illness, which has spread globally as a pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 may enter the human body through olfactory lobes and interact with the angiotensin-converting enzyme2 (ACE2) receptor, further facilitating cell binding and entry into the cells. Reports have shown that the virus can pass through the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and enter the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in various disorders. Cell entry by SARS-CoV-2 largely relies on TMPRSS2 and cathepsin L, which activate S protein. TMPRSS2 is found on the cell surface of respiratory, gastrointestinal and urogenital epithelium, while cathepsin-L is a part of endosomes. Aim The current review aims to provide information on how SARS-CoV-2 infection affects brain function.. Furthermore, CNS disorders associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, including ischemic stroke, cerebral venous thrombosis, Guillain–Barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis, meningitis, and encephalitis, are discussed. The many probable mechanisms and paths involved in developing cerebrovascular problems in COVID patients are thoroughly detailed. Main body There have been reports that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and enter the central nervous system (CNS), where it could cause a various illnesses. Patients suffering from COVID-19 experience a range of neurological complications, including sleep disorders, viral encephalitis, headaches, dysgeusia, and cognitive impairment. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of COVID-19 patients has been reported. Health experts also reported its presence in cortical neurons and human brain organoids. The possible mechanism of virus infiltration into the brain can be neurotropic, direct infiltration and cytokine storm-based pathways. The olfactory lobes could also be the primary pathway for the entrance of SARS-CoV-2 into the brain. Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 can lead to neurological complications, such as cerebrovascular manifestations, motor movement complications, and cognitive decline. COVID-19 infection can result in cerebrovascular symptoms and diseases, such as strokes and thrombosis. The virus can affect the neural system, disrupt cognitive function and cause neurological disorders. To combat the epidemic, it is crucial to repurpose drugs currently in use quickly and develop novel therapeutics.

Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus found in certain parts of North, Central, and South America. Transmission is primarily through airborne inoculation from inhaled fungal microconidia. Histoplasmosis is typically a self-limited mycosis; however, in patients with immunodeficiency, disseminated disease can occur and may lead to high disease burden. This report studies a case of disseminated histoplasmosis in a patient newly diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus. His presentation on admission was consistent with infectious pulmonary granulomatous disease, and further imaging and laboratory results showed evidence of multi-organ involvement. It is likely his presentation in Central California was a reactivation infection after inoculation in Central America many years ago.

Bacterial contamination of water and food is a grave health concern rendering humans quite vulnerable to disease(s), and proving, at times, fatal too. Exploration of the novel diagnostic tools is, accordingly, highly called for to ensure rapid detection of the pathogenic bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli. The current manuscript, accordingly, reports the use of silane-functionalized glass matrices and antibody-conjugated cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots (QDs) for efficient detection of E. coli. Synthesis of QDs (size: 5.4–6.8 nm) using mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) stabilizer yielded stable photoluminescence (∼62%), corroborating superior fluorescent characteristics. A test sample, when added to antibody-conjugated matrices, followed by antibody-conjugated CdTe-MPA QDs, formed a pathogen-antibody QDs complex. The latter, during confocal microscopy, demonstrated rapid detection of the selectively captured pathogenic bacteria (10 microorganism cells/10 μL) with enhanced sensitivity and specificity. The work, overall, encompasses establishment and design of an innovative detection platform in microbial diagnostics for rapid capturing of pathogens in water and food samples. HIGHLIGHTS Antibody-mediated fluorescent biosensor for efficient capturing and detection of E. coli.; Bioconjugation of QDs and E. coli antibodies.; Qualitative, quantitative and selective assessment of E. coli in contaminated water using CLSM.; High sensitivity of glass matrix biosensor, with detection limit of 10 microorganisms/10 mL.; Capability of technology extension for detecting other microbial pathogens.;

Abstract The integrity of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is essential for normal central nervous system (CNS) functioning. Considering the significance of BBB in maintaining homeostasis and the neural environment, we aim to provide an overview of significant aspects of BBB. Worldwide, the treatment of neurological diseases caused by BBB disruption has been a major challenge. BBB also restricts entry of neuro-therapeutic drugs and hinders treatment modalities. Hence, currently nanotechnology-based approaches are being explored on large scale as alternatives to conventional methodologies. It is necessary to investigate the in-depth characteristic features of BBB to facilitate the discovery of novel drugs that can successfully cross the barrier and target the disease effectively. It is imperative to discover novel strategies to treat life-threatening CNS diseases in humans. Therefore, insights regarding building blocks of BBB, activation of immune response on breach of this barrier, and various autoimmune neurological disorders caused due to BBB dysfunction are discussed. Further, special emphasis is given on delineating BBB disruption leading to CNS disorders. Moreover, various mechanisms of transport pathways across BBB, several novel strategies, and alternative routes by which drugs can be properly delivered into CNS are also discussed.

Proteins are essential building blocks in humans that have garnered huge attention from researchers worldwide due to their numerous therapeutic applications. To date, different computational tools have been developed to extract pre-existing information on these biological molecules, but most of these tools suffer from limitations such as non-user friendly interface, redundancy of data, etc. To overcome these limitations, a user-friendly interface, the Peptide Utility (PU) webserver (https://chain-searching.herokuapp.com/) has been developed for searching and analyzing homologous and identical protein/peptide sequences that can be searched from approximately 0.4 million sequences (structural and sequence information) in both online and offline modes. The PU web server can also be used to study different types of interactions in PDBSum, identifying the most dominating interface residues, the most prevalent interactions, and the interaction preferences of different residues. The webserver would also pave way for the design of novel therapeutic peptides and folds by identifying conserved residues in the three-dimensional structure space of proteins.

Developing an innovative protective structure with excellent energy absorption performance is a continuous research effort. The emerging additive manufacturing techniques allow fabricating structures with complex geometrical shapes which have the potential to yield unprecedented energy absorption properties.Accordingly, in this paper, the crush and energy absorption behaviour of new designs, namely Concave Tubes (CTs) featuring inwardly curved sidewalls, is assessed experimentally and compared to that of Standard tubes (STs) featuring straight sidewalls. Tubes with different geometrical configurations, including concave circular (CC), concave square (CS), standard circular (SC), and standard square (SS), are fabricated using the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process from AlSi10Mg aluminium powder and then crushed axially under quasi-static loading. It was found that the tubes have fractured and developed a splitting deformation mode, instead of progressive buckling, during the axial crushing resulting in relatively low energy absorption performance. The experimental results revealed superior energy absorption performance for the CTs over the STs. A Multi-Attribute Decision Making (MADM) technique known as Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS) is used to identify the best design. The COPRAS results show that the CC design is the best energy absorbing tube outperforming all other configurations presented in this paper.

The havoc unleashed by COVID-19 pandemic has paved way for secondary ominous fungal infections like Mucormycosis. It is caused by a class of opportunistic pathogens from the order Mucorales. Fatality rates due to this contagious infection are extremely high. Numerous clinical manifestations result in damage to multiple organs subject to the patient’s underlying condition. Lack of a proper detection method and reliable treatment has made the management of this infection troublesome. Several reports studying the behavior pattern of Mucorales inside the host by modulation of its defense mechanisms have helped in understanding the pathogenesis of this angio-invasive infection. Many recent advances in diagnosis and treatment of this fungal infection have not been much beneficial. Therefore, there is a need to foster more viable strategies. This article summarizes current and imminent approaches that could aid effective management of these secondary infections in these times of global pandemic. It is foreseen that the development of newer antifungal drugs, antimicrobial peptides, and nanotechnology-based approaches for drug delivery would help combat this infection and curb its spread.

The avian influenza A virus (AIV) is naturally prevalent in aquatic birds, infecting different avian species and transmitting from birds to humans. Both AIVs, the H5N1 and H7N9 viruses, have the potential to infect humans, causing an acute influenza disease syndrome in humans, and are a possible pandemic threat. AIV H5N1 is highly pathogenic, whereas AIV H7N9 has comparatively low pathogenicity. A clear insight into the disease pathogenesis is significant to understand the host’s immunological response, which in turn facilitates the design of the control and prevention strategies. In this review, we aim to provide comprehensive details on the pathogenesis and clinical features of the disease. Moreover, the innate and adaptive immunological responses to AIV and the recent studies conducted on the CD8+ T cell immunity against AIVs are detailed upon. Further, the current status and advancement in the development of AIV vaccines, along with the challenges, are also discussed. The information provided will be helpful in combating the transmission of AIV from birds to humans and, thus, preventing severe outbreaks leading to pandemics worldwide.

Aim: The present study was undertaken with the aim and objective to study the electrocardiographic and echocardiographic changes in patients with chronic kidney disease on maintenance hemodialysis. Methods: A cross sectional study consisted of 100 patients with chronic kidney disease on maintenance hemodialysis in the Department of Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Patiala. Results: In age group <30 years, 15% of patients were involved. In age group 41-50 years 22% patients were involved. In age group 51-60 years, 29% patients were involved. In age group 61- 70 years, 17% patients were involved. In age group >70 years, 17% patients were involved. Out of 100 patients, there were 57% male and 43% females. 1% was having Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, 8% having acute tubular necrosis, 18% having chronic glomerulonephritis, 23% having diabetes mellitus, 30% having diabetes Mellitus + hypertension, 15% having Hypertension, 2% having IGA nephropathy and 3% having obstructive uropathy. ECG was normal in 25% cases. LVH in 35% cases, LAD in 6%, conduction disturbances in 18%, Ischemic changes in 6%, Arrhythmia in 6% and P-mitrale in 4%. The most common ECG changes were 35% in LVH and 26% in conduction disturbance. The table shows echocardiographic changes in CKD cases on hemodialysis. Normal was found in 12 % of cases, left ventricular hypertrophy in 44% of patients, RWMA in 8%, pericardial effusion in 7%, diastolic dysfunction was found in 15% of patients and systolic dysfunction in 14% of patients. Conclusion: Left ventricular hypertrophy is the commonest abnormality observed in patient’s chronic kidney disease on maintenance hemodialysis both on ECG and Echocardiography. Echocardiography is a more sensitive diagnostic procedure to detect left ventricular hypertrophy. After Left Ventricular Hypertrophy the next common abnormality found on Echocardiography is Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the neurological manifestations in patients diagnosed with HIV and to assess CD 4 counts in HIV Patients. Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Medicine and ART Center, Rajindra Hospital, Patiala. A total 200 patients in the time period 1st April to March 2021 were included in the study. Results: Majority of patients were in economically productive age group 21-45 years. 70.50% patients were in 26-45 years of age group with mean age range 36.28±10.20. Out of 200 patients 55 (28.5%) had neurological manifestations. Among the 55 patients with neurological manifestations, majority (60.40%) were in 26-45 year age group with Mean age of study subjects: 36.28+ 10.20, Mean age for males: 34.30 ± 7.29, Mean age for females –29.27 ± 6.47and Male to female ratio : 2.56:1. Fever was the commonest symptom seen among the patients with neurological manifestations in 41 patients (71.93%) followed by altered sensorium seen in 36 patients (63.16%), head ache in 30 patients (52.63%), seizures in 15 patients (26.32%) of the patients. These results were statistically significant for all neurological symptoms except headache. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]