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A high circulating concentration of the non proteinogenic amino acid homocysteine has been implicated as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease and its prodromal stage, mild cognitive impairement. Furthermore, hyperhomocysteinaemia has been directly attributed to a deficiency in vitamins B12, folate, and B6. Several studies have demonstrated decrease in progression of mild cognitive impairement to Alzheimer’s Disease, and some have even shown an improvement in cognition after vitamin supplements with B12 and folate. Plausible mechanisms linking hyperhomocysteinaemia to Alzheimer’s and cognitive impairement have been hypothesized and demonstrated in hyperhomocysteinemic mice models. However, some studies have not elucidated any benefit of vitamin supplements in subjects with cognitive impairment. Hence, multicentric clinical studies need to be conducted to substantiate the mechanisms of neuronal degeneration due to hyperhomocysteinaemia and to demonstrate the beneficial effect of folate, B6 and B12 supplements on cognition.

Insects not only play a significant role in the ecological process of nature but since pre-historic times have also formed a part of the human diet. With a still growing population and skewed demographic structures across most societies of the world, their role as nutrient-rich food has been increasingly advocated by researchers and policymakers globally. In this study, we examine the edible insect diversity and entomophagy attitudes of ethnic people in Manas National Park, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, located in Assam (India). The study involved a field investigation through which the pattern of entomophagy and the attitude towards insect-eating was studied. Following this, we examined the edible insect diversity and abundance at different sampling points. A total of 22 species of edible insects belonging to fifteen families and eight orders were recorded from different habitat types. Out of these 22 species, Orthopterans showed a maximum number of eight species followed by Hymenoptera (four), Hemiptera (three), Lepidoptera (two), Blattodea (two) and one species each from Coleoptera, Odonata, and Mantodea. Dominance, diversity, and equitability indices were computed along with the relative abundance of the insects concerning four habitat types. Aspects of the economic significance of entomophagy were also observed during the field investigation. To manage insects in the interest of food security, more attention should be given to sustainable collecting and rearing methods emphasizing their economic, nutritional, and ecological advantages.

Human microbiome studies have shown diversity to exist among different ethnic populations. However, studies pertaining to the microbial composition of CRC among the Indian population have not been well explored. We aimed to decipher the microbial signature in tumor tissues from North Indian CRC patients. Next-generation sequencing of tumor and adjacent tissue-derived bacterial 16S rRNA V3-V4 hypervariable regions was performed to investigate the abundance of specific microbes. The expression profile analysis deciphered a decreased diversity among the tumor-associated microbial communities. At the phyla level, Proteobacteria was differentially expressed in CRC tissues than adjacent normal. Further, DeSeq2 normalization identified 4 out of 79 distinct species (p < 0.005) only in CRC, Bacteroides massiliensis, Alistipes onderdonkii, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, and Corynebacterium appendicis. Thus, the findings suggest that microbial signatures can be used as putative biomarkers in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment management of CRC.

Cognitive impairment is a progressive disorder that affects the ageing population. With the increase in the mean age of our population, it is becoming a public health problem. Homocysteinemia has been implicated in cognitive impairment. Whilst it is modulated by vitamins B12 and folate, it acts through MMPs 2 and 9. To assesses the relationship of cognitive impairment with homocysteine, B12, folate and MMPs 2 and 9, so as to detect cases of mild cognitive impairment which are potentially reversible, blood samples were drawn from 73 enrolled subjects, with and without cognitive impairment on basis of Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) score < 25 or ≥ 25, respectively. Homocysteine, B12, folate and MMPs2 and 9 were estimated. Correlation between MoCA score and these parameters was elucidated. After adjusting for age and gender, homocysteine was the only significant independent predictor of MoCA score. Cut-off of homocysteine for prediction of MoCA < 25 was derived at 13.5 µmol/L(PPV = 59.6%; NPV = 79.2%). The equation derived for calculation of MoCA score from homocysteine is: MoCA score = 32.893 + [(− 0.223)(homocysteine in μmol/L)]. Homocysteine > 13.5 μmol/L predicts low MoCA (< 25) with 84.8% sensitivity and 50% specificity. Hence, patients with an Hcy > 13.5 μmol/L should be administered B12 and folate to reduce homocysteine, a modifiable risk factor of cognitive decline. Also, a novel equation for calculating MoCA score from homocysteine has been derived. Using this derived equation to calculate MoCA score, it may be possible to identify asymptomatic subjects with early cognitive impairment.

Brain tumor causes of millions of life every year due to poor treatment options. The blood-brain barrier prevents most of the treatment molecules to reach the tumor region. Tight junctions within adjacent brain endothelial cell lines including other components make the brain highly impermeable to all the unwanted and foreign materials. The antineoplastic drug molecules which has a molecular weight of less than 400 daltons and have less than 8 hydrogen bonds are only able to access the brain without any hindrance. Hence, most of the small and large anti-cancer drug molecules hardly can cross the barrier. To overcome these problems formulation scientists have adopted various strategies and techniques so that the intended drug molecule can reach the target region of the brain tumor. Among them nanosponges drug delivery is highly appreciated as emerging brain tumor targeted drug delivery. Nanosponges are tiny sponge in the size of nano range with a vesicle filled with various types of drugs. These kinds of the formulation can circulate throughout the blood and reach the target region where drugs are released in a controlled manner. This review article highlights the unique features of blood-brain barrier and novel strategies based on drug formulation to access the core of the brain tumor by overcoming the resistance rendered by blood brain barrier. In addition, it also demonstrates how nanosponges is emerging as one of the best options to prevail over various challenges associated with penetration of the blood-brain barrier.

Abstract For safer and effective immunocontraception, zona (ZP3) and spermatozoa specific (YLP12 ) peptides have been presented on virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from Johnson grass mosaic virus coat protein. Immunization of FvB/cJ female mice with VLPs presenting YLP12 -ZP3 fusion peptide and a physical mixture of VLPs presenting either YLP12 or ZP3 epitope led to generation of specific antibody responses and a significant reduction in litters born per mice ( p < 0.005). Significant curtailment of fertility was also observed in animals immunized with adjuvnated ZP3 and YLP12 synthetic peptides. These results suggest that VLPs can be used to present gamete epitopes for immunocontraception.

For safer and effective immunocontraception, zona (ZP3) and spermatozoa specific (YLP(12)) peptides have been presented on virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from Johnson grass mosaic virus coat protein. Immunization of FvB/cJ female mice with VLPs presenting YLP(12)-ZP3 fusion peptide and a physical mixture of VLPs presenting either YLP(12) or ZP3 epitope led to generation of specific antibody responses and a significant reduction in litters born per mice (p<0.005). Significant curtailment of fertility was also observed in animals immunized with adjuvnated ZP3 and YLP(12) synthetic peptides. These results suggest that VLPs can be used to present gamete epitopes for immunocontraception.

For safer and effective immunocontraception, zona (ZP3) and spermatozoa specific (YLP12) peptides have been presented on virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from Johnson grass mosaic virus coat protein. Immunization of FvB/cJ female mice with VLPs presenting YLP12-ZP3 fusion peptide and a physical mixture of VLPs presenting either YLP12or ZP3 epitope led to generation of specific antibody responses and a significant reduction in litters born per mice (p<0.005). Significant curtailment of fertility was also observed in animals immunized with adjuvnated ZP3 and YLP12synthetic peptides. These results suggest that VLPs can be used to present gamete epitopes for immunocontraception.

For safer and effective immunocontraception, zona (ZP3) and spermatozoa specific (YLP 12) peptides have been presented on virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from Johnson grass mosaic virus coat protein. Immunization of FvB/cJ female mice with VLPs presenting YLP 12-ZP3 fusion peptide and a physical mixture of VLPs presenting either YLP 12 or ZP3 epitope led to generation of specific antibody responses and a significant reduction in litters born per mice ( p < 0.005). Significant curtailment of fertility was also observed in animals immunized with adjuvnated ZP3 and YLP 12 synthetic peptides. These results suggest that VLPs can be used to present gamete epitopes for immunocontraception.

Abstract The increasing trend of carbapenem resistance amongst Escherichia coli poses a major public health crisis and requires active surveillance of resistance mechanisms to control the threat. Quorum-sensing system plays a role in bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Quorum sensing is a cell–cell communication system where bacteria alter their gene expression in response to specific stimuli. Here, in this study we investigated the transcriptional response of quorum-sensing receptor, sdiA in E. coli under sub-inhibitory concentration of carbapenem in the presence of quorum-sensing signal molecules. Two E. coli isolates harbouring blaNDM were subjected to treatment with 10% Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) for 20 consecutive days of which blaNDM encoding plasmid was successfully eliminated from one isolate. Both the wild type and the cured mutant were then allowed to grow under eight different inducing conditions and the transcriptional response of sdiA gene was studied by quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methodt. We found different response levels of sdiA in wild type and cured mutant under exogenous AHL and imipenem and when co-cultured with Pseudomonas aeruginosa under imipenem stress. This study highlighted that sub-inhibitory concentration of imipenem in combination with AHL is acting as a signal to SdiA, a quorum-sensing receptor in E. coli. The transcriptional response of the sdiA gene in E. coli which codes for a quorum-sensing receptor protein is enhanced under imipenem exposure in the presence of acyl homoserine lactone signal molecules.