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The Beas River is one of the important rivers of the Indus River system located in Himachal Pradesh, India, that harbors a diverse range of freshwater fish species. The present study employed COI gene to investigate the ichthyofaunal diversity of river Beas. Through the sequencing of 203 specimens from Beas River, we identified 43 species, belonging to 31 genera, 16 families, and 10 orders. To analyze the genetic divergence and phylogeny of identified species, 485 sequences of Indian origin were retrieved from BOLD, resulting in a dataset of 688 sequences. Our findings consistently revealed a hierarchical increase in the mean K2P genetic divergence within species (0.80%), genus (9.06%), and families (15.35%). Automated Barcode Gap discovery, Neighbour Joining, and Bayesian inference consensus tree methodologies were employed to determine the putative species and their phylogeny, successfully delimiting most of the species with only a few exceptions. The results unveiled six species exhibiting high intra-species divergence (> 2%), suggesting the presence of sibling species and falsely identified sequences on online databases. The present study established the first DNA barcoding-based inventory of freshwater fish species in the Beas River providing comprehensive insights into economically exploited endangered and vulnerable species. In order to ensure the sustainable use of aquatic resources in the Beas River, we recommend the implementation of species measures to protect biodiversity and genetic resources.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with resistance to apoptosis being a major driver of therapeutic resistance and aggressive phenotype. This study aimed to develop a novel gene therapy approach for NSCLC by targeting resistance to apoptosis. Loss of function mutations of caspase 8 (CASP8) and downregulation of microRNAs (miRs) 29A-B1 and 34A were identified as key contributors to resistance to apoptosis in NSCLC. A biodegradable polymeric nano-gene delivery system composed of chitosan-poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid was formulated to deliver initiator CASP8 and miRs 29A-B1 and 34A. The nano-formulation efficiently encapsulated the therapeutic genes effectively internalized into NSCLC cells and induced significant apoptosis. Evaluation of the nano-formulation in A549 tumor spheroids showed a significant increase in apoptosis within the core of the spheroids, suggesting effective penetration into the spheroid structures. We provide a novel nano-formulation that demonstrate therapeutic potential for suicidal gene therapy in NSCLC.

Introduction: Itraconazole follows non-linear pharmacokinetics and hence is recommended once daily, but in real-world practice, is commonly prescribed as twice daily. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of super-bioavailable-itraconazole -130 mg (SB-130) and conventional-itraconazole-200 mg (CITZ-200) once daily compared with conventional-itraconazole-100 mg (CITZ-100) twice daily in glabrous tinea. Methods: A total of 261 eligible patients were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, clinical study from December-2021 to August-2022 at seven centers in India. Efficacy and safety assessments were done at week-3 and 6, with follow-up at week-10 for relapse. The primary objective was to assess the proportion of patients who achieved complete cure at week-6 following treatment in all itraconazole groups. The secondary outcomes were safety and clinical and mycological cure rates. Results: Of 261 patients, 240 were included in the analysis. At week-6, 140 patients were completely cured; thus, overall cure rate was 58.33%. Fifty-five patients (69%) in SB-130 while 47/77 (61%) and 38/83 (46%) patients were completely cured in CITZ-200 and CITZ-100 groups respectively (p<0.05; SB-130: CITZ-100, p=0.32; SB-130: CITZ-200, p=0.058; CITZ-200: CITZ-100). There was no statistical difference in the mycological cure rate and area clearance rate between any of the groups (p=0.14); however, a statistically significant difference was noted for OD dosing over BD dosing in achieving clinical cure rates (p<0.05). A total of 13/140 patients (9%) relapsed following complete cure, with no statistically significant difference between any of the groups (p=0.50). All treatments were safe and well-tolerated, with no discontinuation. Conclusion: In this clinical study, moderate efficacy with all doses of ITZ was reported but was better with OD dosing. Although there was no statistical difference between SB-130 and CITZ-200, SB-130 may be preferred over CITZ-200 owing to the advantage of SB over the conventional ITZ. Keywords: itraconazole, super-bioavailable itraconazole, 130mg, efficacy, safety, India, OD, dermatophytosis, relapse

Shenoy MM, De A, Shah B, et al. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2023;17:2899-2908. The authors have advised the affiliation indicators in the author list on page 2899 is incorrect. The correct author list and affiliations are as follows. Manjunath M Shenoy1, Abhishek De2, Bela Shah3, Anupam Das4, Abir Saraswat5, Koushik Lahiri2, Sheetal Yadav6, Aarti Sarda2, Disha Chakraborty7, Dharmender J3, Shruti Kamat3, Yashika Doshi3, Nelry Gonsalves3, Ankita Choudhary3, Dhiraj Dhoot8, Namrata Mahadkar8, Sumit Bhushan8, Rujuta Gadkari8, Hanmant Barkate8 1Department of Dermatology, Omega Hospital, Mangalore, Karnataka, India; 2Department of Dermatology, Wizderm Specialty Skin and Hair Clinic, Kolkata, West Bengal, India; 3Department of Dermatology, BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India; 4Department of Dermatology, Iris Multispecialty Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India; 5Department of Dermatology, Indushree Skin Clinic, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India; 6Department of Dermatology, ABVIMS and Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi, India; 7Department of Dermatology, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India; 8Department of Global Medical Affairs, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India The authors apologize for this error.

This article evaluates the contemporary Indian redefinition of gender norms, subjectivity, and practices by analyzing Bollywood films as a major influence upon its global audiences. This study explores how Indian cinema redefines women's status and promotes gender-neutral entertainment by harnessing the powerful energies of current movements such as #MeToo. The article closely examines the textual and conceptual features of current women-focused movies like Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga (2019), Thappad (2020), and Paglait (2021). This examination focuses on key insights from popular Bollywood actresses' critical feminist roles to understand their assertions of women's power, agency, and equality. Additionally, this research explores the evolving trope of the male liberator, who dominated past Bollywood and the popular culture imagination but is now being revised in a way that deconstructs patriarchal norms. This paper first explores traditional portrayals of women in Bollywood and then critiques these films to look at how resistance is portrayed in contemporary cinema. This paper examines current paradigm shifts through the analysis of characters that challenge conventional depictions and resist the prevailing gender stereotypes in their quest for empowerment.

This article evaluates the contemporary Indian redefinition of gender norms, subjectivity, and practices by analyzing Bollywood films as a major influence upon its global audiences. This study explores how Indian cinema redefines women's status and promotes gender-neutral entertainment by harnessing the powerful energies of current movements such as #MeToo. The article closely examines the textual and conceptual features of current women-focused movies like Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga (2019), Thappad (2020), and Paglait (2021). This examination focuses on key insights from popular Bollywood actresses' critical feminist roles to understand their assertions of women's power, agency, and equality. Additionally, this research explores the evolving trope of the male liberator, who dominated past Bollywood and the popular culture imagination but is now being revised in a way that deconstructs patriarchal norms. This paper first explores traditional portrayals of women in Bollywood and then critiques these films to look at how resistance is portrayed in contemporary cinema. This paper examines current paradigm shifts through the analysis of characters that challenge conventional depictions and resist the prevailing gender stereotypes in their quest for empowerment.

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of using convalescent plasma to treat moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) in adults in India.DesignOpen label, parallel arm, phase II, multicentre, randomised controlled trial.Setting39 public and private hospitals across India.Participants464 adults (≥18 years) admitted to hospital (screened 22 April to 14 July 2020) with confirmed moderate covid-19 (partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) ratio between 200 mm Hg and 300 mm Hg or a respiratory rate of more than 24/min with oxygen saturation 93% or less on room air): 235 were assigned to convalescent plasma with best standard of care (intervention arm) and 229 to best standard of care only (control arm).InterventionsParticipants in the intervention arm received two doses of 200 mL convalescent plasma, transfused 24 hours apart. The presence and levels of neutralising antibodies were not measured a priori; stored samples were assayed at the end of the study.Main outcome measureComposite of progression to severe disease (PaO2/FiO2 <100 mm Hg) or all cause mortality at 28 days post-enrolment.ResultsProgression to severe disease or all cause mortality at 28 days after enrolment occurred in 44 (19%) participants in the intervention arm and 41 (18%) in the control arm (risk difference 0.008 (95% confidence interval −0.062 to 0.078); risk ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval 0.71 to 1.54).ConclusionConvalescent plasma was not associated with a reduction in progression to severe covid-19 or all cause mortality. This trial has high generalisability and approximates convalescent plasma use in real life settings with limited laboratory capacity. A priori measurement of neutralising antibody titres in donors and participants might further clarify the role of convalescent plasma in the management of covid-19.Trial registrationClinical Trial Registry of India CTRI/2020/04/024775.

Tissue cytokines in chronic hand eczema (CHE) can predict targeted therapy with novel drugs including JAK inhibitors. Our primary objective was to assess the tissue expression of cytokines of Th1 and Th2 cell lines in CHE patients and to study the efficacy of oral tofacitinib. We recruited patients presenting with recalcitrant CHE. Lesional and non-lesional tissue samples were assessed for Th1(IFN-γ, TNF-α) and Th2 related cytokines (IL-4, IL-13, IL-2,) using real time PCR. Tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily was initiated with 4 weekly assessment and we also noted relapses post therapy. Of 21 refractory hyperkeratotic CHE patients, cytokine analysis was performed in 11 patients which showed upregulation of IL-4 [ n  = 5/11, 1.87-fold increase], TNF-α ( n  = 5/11, 5.13-fold) and IFN-γ ( n  = 6/11, 1.98-fold) as compared to uninvolved skin. All patients (100%) had used topical corticosteroids (TCS) and 4/21 (19%) had failed methotrexate and 2/21 (9.5%) had failed acitretin. Tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily was given in 15/21 patients. The mean time to achieve hand eczema severity index 90 (HECSI 90) was 4 weeks (mean duration of treatment:5.8 months, n  = 12). Side effects were observed in 4/12 (33.3%) patients and relapse was noted in 3/12 (25%) patients after a mean duration of 7 months after discontinuation of tofacitinib. Tofacitinib (pan-JAK inhibitor) showed an excellent response in refractory CHE patients with predominant tissue Th1/Th2 cells related cytokine expression.

In this work, 2-phenylimidazo[1,2- a ]pyridine-based probe was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for the selective detection of diethyl cyanophosphonate (DECP), a tabun mimic, chemical warfare agent (CWA). The addition of DECP produces a rapid fluorescence color change from blue to green, which is visualized at wavelength of 365 nm. Mechanistic investigation indicates phosphorylation of the amino unit of 4-(imidazo[1,2- a ]pyridin-2-yl)aniline in the presence of DECP, inhibits photoinduced electron transfer (PET) phenomenon that subsequently produced a fluorescence color change. The probe was found to be selective towards DECP with no detectable interference with other analytes. Further, immobilization on a paper strip, the fluorogenic probe can detect organophosphorus nerve agent simulant (DECP) in solution as well as in the vapor phase, making the system a viable choice for chemical warfare agent detection in the field. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for DECP was found to be 0.23 μM and 0.70 μM, respectively, with respect to the linear field concentation range of 0, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 μM, the standard deviation found as 17.19 whereas, RSD% = 2.89. The probe not only shows high sensitivity and selectivity in solution but can also be applied for the recognition of DECP in the vapour state with significant color changes.

In this work, magnetism was developed in diamagnetic ZnO through co-doping of both nickel and cobalt with composition Co x Ni 0.1-x Zn 0.9 O (0 ≤  x  ≤ 0.1). A systematic investigation was conducted to examine the impact of co-doping in ZnO on its microstructural, morphological, and magnetic properties. All the samples exhibited hexagonal wurtzite structure and the crystallite size increases with Co and Ni paired-doped ZnO particles. The structure exhibited a uniform distribution of spherical grains, which were consistent in shape. The elemental color-mapping and EDX analysis provide conclusive evidence of Zn, O, Ni and Co elements. Raman spectra detect the distinctive band of the wurtzite crystal structure, as well as the combined vibration modes of Ni and Co in the doped samples. The vibrating sample magnetometer studies confirmed the transition of ZnO from diamagnetic to ferromagnetic, as a result of different doping concentrations in the studied samples. The dynamic magnetization measurements were investigated by ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectroscopy. Various parameters like magnetization, gyromagnetic ratio, Gilbert damping, extrinsic linewidth was derived from field-sweep FMR data. The structural and magnetic results were further validated theoretically by first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations. DFT analysis show that localised spin moments from 3d electrons of Co 2+ and Ni 2+ ions are principally responsible for the stable long-range magnetic ordering in co-doped ZnO particles. Hence, the development of room temperature ferromagnetism in transparent ZnO can have immense applications in spintronics based quantum computing, and phase-change magnetic memory.