Johne's disease in ruminants is caused by Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP), linked to inflammatory bowel and Crohn's disease in humans, with milk from infected ruminants being the primary transmission source. This study was aimed to estimate the bio-presence of MAP from the confirmed cases of thyroid and arthritis clinical samples (blood and serum) which were collected from the Community Healthcare Center, Bhangel campus, Noida NCR region, India. One hundred and eleven blood samples (76 thyroid and 35 arthritis samples) were collected and screened by IS900 blood PCR, indigenous ELISA, and Taqman probe qPCR IS1311 PCR_REA. Of the serum samples (111) screened by indigenous ELISA, 19 (17.1%) were positive for MAP antibodies (thyroid, 18.4% and arthritis, 14.2%). Of the blood samples evaluated, 10.8 and 11.7% were confirmed positive for MAP by IS900 PCR and Taqman probe qPCR, respectively. The bio-incidence of MAP in thyroid and arthritis patients was 9.2 14.2 and 10.5- 14.2%, respectively, as assessed by IS900 PCR and Taqman probe qPCR. Substantial agreement was found between ELISA and PCR, and IS1311 PCR_REA molecular strain typing showed that ‘Indian Bison type’ was prevalent biotype. The study indicated moderate exposure of human population to MAP in Noida NCR region and presence ‘Indian Bison type’ biotype suggests a possible zoonotic transmission pathway for MAP from cattle products to humans. In order to validate these findings, in broader cohorts, larger sample size of thyroid and arthritis patients is required.

Transdermal patches offer advantage to the absorption of systemic Donepezil (DPZ) without undergoing hepatic first-pass metabolism and yields inactive Donepezil N-oxide and other hydroxylated metabolites. They enable controlled and continuous discharge of medication into the bloodstream through intact skin over an extended period. This study was aimed to develop and characterize DPZ transdermal patches using a central composite design. The patches were prepared with PVP K30, HPMC K15, and modified chitosan by solvent-casting tactic. Design Expert software-generated central composite design was used to analyse the impact of independent variables on the response. FTIR analysis was performed to examine DPZ-excipient interactions. Donepezil transdermal patches (DTDP) formulations showed strong physicochemical properties, including appearance, thickness, uniformity of weight, folding endurance (FE), elongation at break, DPZ content, moisture content, and tensile strength. Among them, DTDP-11 showed highest DPZ release at 8, 16, and 24 h. The patches were flexible, with a breakpoint at 161-folds. Tensile strength across all batches was between 0.422 and 0.433 mg cm-2 h-1, and moisture content was acceptable. In vitro testing confirmed consistent DPZ permeation across the patches, with DTDP-11 performing best, indicating that DTDP-11 improved DPZ discharge. The study concluded that using HPMC K15 (125 mg) and PVP K30 (40 mg) with modified chitosan (65.9 mg) effectively facilitate the permeation for the extended period and flexibility of DPZ transdermal patches.

The genus Jacaranda is an important representative of tribe Tecomeae in family Bignoniaceae, with the species native to South America and widely distributed across the tropical regions. This study was aimed to comprehensively screen the phytochemicals of crude extract of Jacaranda mimosifolia and evaluate its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds, including glycosides, carbohydrates, tannins, proteins, amino acids, terpenoids, fats, and oils. Antioxidant activity was assessed using ABTS and DPPH scavenging assays, which yielded IC50 values of 144.231 and 12.957 µg µL-1, respectively. The extract showed significant antimicrobial activity and effectively inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus mutans and Escherichia coli at various concentrations. The anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated through bovine serum albumin denaturation assay, which showed an IC50 value of 213.85 µg µL-1. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis of ribosomal protein L23 in J. mimosifolia revealed structural and physiochemical characteristics associated with its antioxidant properties. The study suggests that J. mimosifolia seed extract could be a promising natural alternative to synthetic drugs for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory applications.

Momordica charantia Linn. (bitter gourd) fruit is one of the common vegetable consumed in India; and is also traditionally used for the management of blood glucose levels (BGL) in diabetes. The present study aimed to evaluate the antihyperglycemic potential of charantin-rich extract from the fruits of bitter gourd in in vitro enzyme inhibition assay (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and in vivo using carbohydrate-challenged normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats. The bitter gourd fruits were extracted using an ultrasonicator and the extract was assayed for charantin content using HPTLC method. The standardized extract of M. charantia (SMC) contained 0.34 ± 0.15% w/w charantin. The charantin rich extracts of M. charantia showed concentration-dependent inhibition of α amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes with IC50 values 1.41 ± 0.17 and 2.29 ± 1.84 mg mL-1, respectively. In starch and sucrose challenged normal rats, pre treatment with SMC (200 mg kg-1, b.w.) produced 13.04% and 16.32% reduction in peak BGL as compared to the negative control. In starch and sucrose challenged diabetic rats (induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, 50 mg kg-1 b.w.), pre-treatment with SMC @ 200 mg kg-1, b.w. caused 7.44 and 8.32% reduction in peak BGL when compared with toxic control. The study provided scientific evidence to the fact that bitter gourd fruit is effective in the manangement of BGL in diabetes that can be mainly attributed to charantin.

Lower back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition with multiple aetiologies. Disc degeneration, characterised by reduced disc height, is one of the common causes. Diagnostic tools such as X-rays, MRI, and CT scans are commonly used to visualise deformities in the lower back. Targeting an Indian population with diverse demographics, including varying ages, BMI ranges, and representation of both men and women, this study utilised X-ray data from the ChanRe Rheumatology and Immunology Centre and Research, Bengaluru (India), to diagnose lower back pain resulting from degenerative disc disorders. Intervertebral disc spaces were quantified using image processing techniques, and the quantified values were compared with the mean values of healthy subjects to highlight deviations indicative of disc degeneration. Risk factors such as age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) were identified as significant contributors to disc degeneration. Statistical analyses, like the Mann-Whitney U Test, were conducted to assess the impact of these factors on the quantified data. The mean ranks and p values revealed that age >50 years, BMI > 30, and females significantly contribute to the worsening lumbar spine health. These insights may help doctors prioritise these factors for managing lower back pain, encouraging additional care and precautions during treatment.

A comparative interactive study on the effect of hydro- and halo-priming and light intensity [100, 70 and 50%] on plant dry weight and relative growth rate (RGR) of two wheat genotypes [WR-544 and DBW-187] was undertaken at Ranchi (India). Distilled water was used for hydro-priming; whereas K and Mg salts viz., KCl, KH2PO4, Mg(NO3)2 and MgSO4 @ 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%, respectively, were used for halo-priming. The mosquito net covered over iron frame was used for creating 70% light (21000 lux) while muslin cloth was used for creating 50% light (15000 lux) intensities. The light intensity in open field condition was considered as 100% light (30000 lux). The 100% light intensity showed better plant growth in later plant growth period in both the varieties which was more prominent from 1st to 4th harvests. The higher light intensity interacted with hydro- and halo-primed plants at all test concentrations revealed better plant dry weight in both the varieties even in un-primed seed plants. The genotype ‘WR-544’ at 5th harvest in 100% light intensity + 1.5% Mg(NO3)2 treatment showed maximum plant growth. The RGR showed a fluctuating trend between the harvests in both the varieties. Maximum RGR was observed in early harvest of plant growth which later showed a diminishing trend with least value in last harvests in all treatment under variable light intensities in both genotypes.

This research was aimed to study the phytochemical composition and biological activities of Halimeda copiosa extracts, focusing on their antioxidant, anti microbial, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The plant extracts were prepared using methanol and ethyl acetate, with the methanol extract showing a higher concentration of bioactive compounds. Various antioxidant activity assays yielded IC50 values of 97.26 mg mL-1 (total antioxidant capacity), 872.38 mg mL-1 (DPPH), 385.91 mg mL-1 (reducing power), and 592.02 mg mL-1 (hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity). The extract demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against five microorganisms, as well as strong in vitro amylase and glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 4.30 and 9.11 mg mL-1, respectively, and an anti-inflammatory IC50 value of 587.5 mg mL-1. Additionally, bioinformatics studies on the ribosomal protein L5 indicated potential antioxidant and pro-apoptotic activities. This study is the first to confirm these activities in Halimeda copiosa, suggesting its potential as a source for novel therapeutic agents.

Tribal communities of West Bengal (India) are generously distributed in the major geographically distinct regions in easily distinguished habitats. Most of these tribes prefer a non-urban lifestyle both in the context of their livelihood and the maintenance of their diet. Here, we report the gut bacterial assemblages along with the dietary habits of Proto-Australoid Sabar tribes of Purulia, Jhargram and their adjacent villages along with the foothill Mech tribes of Mongolian descent of North Kamakhyaguri in West Bengal. Anthropometric measures such as height, weight and BMI was evaluated to understand the nutritional status of participants. In order to evaluate gut bacterial assembly, 16S rRNA from first fecal matter was subjected to Illumina Miseq™ sequencing. Quality control (FASTQC), taxonomic (QIIME2) and functional (iVikodak) profiling was performed for metagenomic analysis. The study revealed that Holdemanella, Catenibacterium and Bacteroides exhibited highest abundances of 11.03, 20.50 and 35.91% across the Sabar male, female and kid, respectively; while Prevotella, Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides exhibited highest abundances of 40.51, 17.8 and 29.96% across the Mech male, female and kid, respectively. This study evaluated the interplay between dietary practice and indigenous life style, gut bacteriome structure and function in Sabar and Mech tribes.

The infection of Moniezia expansa is common among sheep and goat in the Indian sub-continent, and little is known about their detoxification ability. Therefore, in this study specific activity of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), along with its kinetic parameters like Km, Vmax, pH and temperature optima were investigated before and after treatment of worms with thymoquinone (TQ), and albendazole (ALBZ). Worms were collected from the infected small intestine of goats (Capra hircus) washed in Hanks' medium and incubated separately in RPMI 1640 medium with and without 120 µM TQ and ALBZ at 37ºC for 4 h. The specific activity of GST in the somatic extract of M. expansa was found to be 59.12 µ mole min-1 mg-1 protein. The optimum temperature and pH were found to be 25˚C and 6.5, respectively. It was observed that the rate of reaction increased with the increasing concentration of both GSH and CDNB; and maximum velocity (Vmax) of enzyme was recorded at 2 mM concentration for both the substrates. The Km value was higher while Vmax was lower in both TQ and ALBZ treated worms than control, indicating that both TQ and the ALBZ act as uncompetitive inhibitors of GST in M. expansa and appeared to be equally effective in inhibiting the GST activity, possibly through conformational changes of enzyme. This type of inhibition may greatly affect the detoxification ability of the worms and, therefore, their survival in the host; hence, GST of M. expansa could be exploited for therapeutic intervention and thymoquinone could be further tested at the in vivo level for dose standardization and field application.

Aedes aegypti is responsible for higher rates of dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever in tropical and subtropical areas including India. We examined the presence of bioactive compounds and larvicidal capability of Parthenium hysterophorus leaf extracts, prepared in acetone methanol and hexane solvents, against Ae. aegypti. Fully fed Ae. aegypti larvae were collected from different residential areas of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh (India). Four concentrations tested were 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg L-1 which caused 10 to 95% mortality in 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Phytochemical analysis revealed that methanolic extract was rich in saponin, flavonoid, terpenoid, alkaloid and phenols as compared to acetone-based extract. However, hexane-based extracts showed only terpenoid and alkaloid activities. The four concentrations of hexane-based extract showed LC50 and LC90 to be 1920.05, 1496.72, 979.83, 337.84 and 18883.78, 14213.81, 16754.35 and 1246.14 mg L-1 in 24 to 96 h, respectively. Acetone-based extracts also showed similar values. However, the methanolic extracts had LC50 and LC90 as 1351.14, 1029.62, 657.77, 226.29 and 5618.12, 5995.96, 2860.23, 804.75 mg L-1, respectively, in 24 96 h. The study showed that leaves of P. hysterophorus exhibit maximum toxicity in methanol solvent followed by acetone and hexane against Ae. aegypti larvae.

Legume root nodules are inhabited by numerous symbiotic endophytes which impact the plant growth and development. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) is one of the most widely grown legume crops in the Jhum fields of Nagaland (India). However, the information on root nodule endophytes of cowpea grown in Jhum (slash and burn) ecosystem is lacking. With the aim to decipher the root nodule micro-symbionts, in the present study, 17 endophytic bacteria were isolated from the root nodules of cowpea. These isolates were clustered into two major groups, constituting eight sub-groups based on RADP-fingerprinting using nif-directed RPO1 primer. Eight unique isolates representing each sub-group were selected for 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. Sequence analysis using BLASTn revealed that these isolates belonged to either Enterobacter or Bacillus species. The presence of these bacteria in root nodules suggests some vital role of non-rhizobial endophytes in the legume root nodule biology.

Organ donation is considered a charitable act that saves the lives of suffering people facing organ failure. The present study was aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of Saudi population about organ donation. Descriptive community- based study was conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The target population were male and female Saudi of 18 to 60 years age living in different regions in KSA. This study got 702 responses from the participants using an online questionnaire. About 83.5% (586) respondents were of age group 18-30 years, 632 (90%) were females, and 477 (67.9%) were from the Western region of Saudi Arabia. The most common source of organ donation information, as reported by the participants, was social media (88.2%), followed by family and friends. It was written by 14 (2%) participants who donated organs, and at the same time, about 125 (17.8%) had registered as organ donors. Only 21.1% participants knew that organ transplantation could be done at any age, and 55.4% knew Islam permits organ donation. The study found lack of knowledge and awareness about organ donation in the Saudi society. The study recommends that it is necessary to educate the people of KSA to improve their knowledge and understanding about organ donation.

The heart is considered an important reflexogenic organ and the stimulation of cardiac nociceptors is responsible for the elicitation of different cardiogenic reflexes. Most likely this is the basic reason behind different clinical presentations associated with heart failure, or myocardial infarction (MI). Clinically, heart failure due to myocardial ischemia is associated with bradycardia, hypotension, urge to pass urine, and stool. It is well established that different chemical substances like lactic acid, prostaglandins, bradykinin, and K+, are released during myocardial ischemia which, in turn, is responsible for the elicitation of cardiac pain that may result in different visceral and somatic reflexes. So, understanding the basic physiological mechanism behind such clinical association between cardiac ischemia-induced heart failure may help clinicians manage this fatal condition. This paper presents a comprehensive review on neurophysiological basis of different clinical presentations associated with MI-induced heart failure. The review also analyses the neural pathway for different cardiogenic reflexes which are associated with different clinical signs or symptoms associated with cardiac failure and thereby may be responsible for the diagnosis of early heart failure.