COVID-19 and rising food prices in India

With India in lockdown and economic activity virtually brought to a standstill, what will the effect of such radical state interventions be on food prices? Here Vatsalya Srivastava (O.P Jindal Global University) and Apurva Harsh (Google, India) explain why we shouldn't look to blame the shopkeeper, what policy options are available to the government n the face of rising food prices, and the best way forward for a large and mostly poor country like India

The Association of a Rare Variant of -93, -53 Promoter Gene Polymorphisms of Lipoprotein Lipase Gene with Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Objectives: Obesity increases the risk of numerous chronic diseases. Obesity is classified clinically using body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, and body fat percentage. The lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene has been linked to lipoprotein metabolism and obesity. We performed a case-control study to determine the association between LPL gene polymorphisms and obesity-associated phenotypes such as insulin resistance (IR). Methods: We examined the different LPL gene variants for association in 642 individuals segregated by BMI and IR. Genotyping of the LPL gene -93 and -53 promoter gene polymorphisms were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: A substantial association was observed for -93 gene polymorphism of the LPL gene with obesity, while -53 promoter gene polymorphism showed association with IR. Conclusions: We found a significant association between -93 and -53 promoter gene polymorphisms of the LPL gene with obesity and associated phenotypes in the studied population

Enhanced Anticancer Activity of Gemcitabine in Combination with Noscapine via Antiangiogenic and Apoptotic Pathway against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND:The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the anticancer activity of Noscapine (Nos) and Gemcitabine (Gem) combination (NGC) against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to elucidate the underlying mechanism of action. METHODS:Isobolographic method was used to calculate combination index values from cytotoxicity data. In vitro antiangiogenic and apoptotic activity of Nos, Gem and NGC was evaluated. For in vivo studies, female athymic Nu/nu mice were xenografted with H460 tumors and the efficacy of Nos, Gem, or NGC was determined. Protein expressions by immunohistochemical staining were evaluated in harvested tumor tissues. RESULTS:The CI values (<0.59) were suggestive of synergistic behavior between Nos and Gem. NGC treatment showed significantly inhibited tube formation and increased percentage of apoptotic cells. NGC, Gem and Nos treatment reduced tumor volume by 82.9±4.5 percent, 39.4±5.8 percent and 34.2±5.7 percent respectively. Specifically, NGC treatment decreased expression cell survival proteins; VEGF, CD31 staining and microvessel density and enhanced DNA fragmentation and cleaved caspase 3 levels compared to single agent treated and control groups. CONCLUSION:Nos potentiated the anticancer activity of Gem in an additive to synergistic manner against lung cancer via antiangiogenic and apoptotic pathways. These findings suggest potential benefit for use of NGC chemotherapy for treatment of lung cancer

Genomic Profiling of Messenger RNAs and MicroRNAs Reveals Potential Mechanisms of TWEAK-Induced Skeletal Muscle Wasting in Mice

Skeletal muscle wasting is a devastating complication of several physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the loss of skeletal muscle mass in various chronic diseases. We have recently reported that proinflammatory cytokine TWEAK is a major muscle-wasting cytokine. Emerging evidence suggests that gene expression is regulated not only at transcriptional level but also at post-transcriptional level through the expression of specific non-coding microRNAs (miRs) which can affect the stability and/or translation of target mRNA. However, the role of miRs in skeletal muscle wasting is unknown.To understand the mechanism of action of TWEAK in skeletal muscle, we performed mRNA and miRs expression profile of control and TWEAK-treated myotubes. TWEAK increased the expression of a number of genes involved in inflammatory response and fibrosis and reduced the expression of few cytoskeletal gene (e.g. Myh4, Ankrd2, and TCap) and metabolic enzymes (e.g. Pgam2). Low density miR array demonstrated that TWEAK inhibits the expression of several miRs including muscle-specific miR-1-1, miR-1-2, miR-133a, miR-133b and miR-206. The expression of a few miRs including miR-146a and miR-455 was found to be significantly increased in response to TWEAK treatment. Ingenuity pathway analysis showed that several genes affected by TWEAK are known/putative targets of miRs. Our cDNA microarray data are consistent with miRs profiling. The levels of specific mRNAs and miRs were also found to be similarly regulated in atrophying skeletal muscle of transgenic mice (Tg) mice expressing TWEAK.Our results suggest that TWEAK affects the expression of several genes and microRNAs involved in inflammatory response, fibrosis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and proteolytic degradation which might be responsible for TWEAK-induced skeletal muscle loss

Formation of site and conformation specific antibodies to centchroman, a new non-steroidal contraceptive drug

216-226Centchroman [Ormeloxi fene, 3,4-trans-2, 2-dimethyl-3-phenyl-4-(p-pyrrolidino ethoxy)phenyl-7 -methoxy-chroman (2a)] is a new non steroidal oral contraceptive for women. In an attempt to develop sensitive immunoassay to measure centchroman concentration in biological fluids, we describe production of antibodies against four hapten derivatives of centchroman, and evaluation of efficacy of these antibodies in developing sensitive and specific immunoassay of centchroman. Antigens were made by coupling four hapten derivatives, 3,4-trans-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenyl-4-(p-pyrrolidinoethoxy) phenyl-7-carboxymethoxyl-chroman (2c), 3,4-trans-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenyl-4-(p-succinoylethoxy)phenyl-7-methoxychroman (3a), 3, 4-trans- 2,2-dimethyl-3-(m-hydroxyl)phenyl-4-(p-pyrro-lidinoethoxy)phenyl-7-methoxychroman (5a), and 3,4-trans-2,2-dimethyl-3 -phenyl-4-(3'-amino,4' -pyrrolidinoethoxy)  phenyl-7-methoxy-chroman (6a), to bovine serum albumin (BSA). Three enzyme tracers, made by coupling centchroman derivatives (2c, 3a, and 5a) to peroxidase (HRP), were utilized to monitor four antisera. Four homologous and heterologous enzyme immunoassay formats were developed and specificity of each antiserum was analyzed against anticipated metabolite of centchroman. Antiserum raised against centchroman derivative (6a) was found to be most specific, showing <4% crossreactivity with a putative metabolite, 7-desmethyl centchroman (2b). This antiserum, when used in solid phase EIA format, exhibited sensitivity of 250 pg/ml , total assay variance of CV < 14%, and analytical recoveries between 82-106%. Comparison of the EIA with a RIA, which was developed by using same antibody, showed a close correlation (r=0.9, n=40). Specificity of all antisera, as determined by the respective enzyme immunoassays, followed an uncharacteristic pattern of crossreactivity towards cis centchroman. Especially, antiserum generatted against an immunogen (5b) showed high crossreaction with cis centchroman. Evidence provided in this study showed that immunogen (5b) produced a sub population of antibodies to a flipped conformation of the drug, which conformationally looks similar to cis centchroman. These conformation specific antibodies accounted for high crossreactivity towards cis centchroman. In conclusion, we describe the formation of conformation specific antibodies and the significance of site of attachment of centchroman derivative to carrier protein on the specificity of antibodies towards anticipated metabolites. Furthermore, by using antiserum generated in this study, sensitive immunoassays were developed and validated for the measurement of centchroman in serum

Association of FTO rs9939609 SNP with Obesity and Obesity- Associated Phenotypes in a North Indian Population

Objectives: Obesity is a common disorder that has a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. Twin and adoption studies support the genetic influence on variation of obesity, and the estimates of the heritability of body mass index (BMI) is significantly high (30 to 70%). Variants in the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene have been associated with obesity and obesity-related phenotypes in different populations. The aim of this study was to examine the association of FTO rs9939609 with obesity and related phenotypes in North Indian subjects.   Methods: Gene variants were investigated for association with obesity in 309 obese and 333 non-obese patients. Genotyping of the FTO rs9939609 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was analyzed using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis of PCR-Amplified Fragments. We also measured participants fasting glucose and insulin levels, lipid profile, percentage body fat, fat mass and fat free mass. Results: Waist to hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, percentage body fat, fat mass, insulin concentration, and homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA-Index) showed a significant difference between the study groups. Significant associations were found for FTO rs9939609 SNP with obesity and obesity-related phenotypes. The significant associations were observed between the rs9939609 SNP and blood pressure, fat mass, insulin, and HOMA-index under a different model.   Conclusion: This study presents significant association between FTO rs9939609 and obesity defined by BMI and also established the strong association with several measures of obesity in North Indian population

A Mask based approach for Lossless Colour Image Steganography.

Steganography is the art or practice of concealing a message, image, or file within another message, image, or file. The main advantage of Steganography over cryptography is that an ordinary observer cannot tell whether the file contains any hidden information in it or not. A form of Steganography where the original message is retrieved without any loss in data is called Lossless Image Steganography. In this research paper we deal with hiding a digital message image inside a digital cover image leading us to the stego image. The embedding and extraction causes no loss of message making it lossless. Our method is a form of message secure transmission since it cannot be retrieved by an attacker who is unaware of the algorithm. The proposed algorithm has been compared with four other algorithms in terms of Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) showing its supremacy

Evaluation of MC4R [rs17782313, rs17700633], AGRP [rs3412352] and POMC [rs1042571] Polymorphisms with Obesity in Northern India

Objective: Genetic variants of the melanocortin-4 receptor gene (MC4R), agouti related protein (AGRP) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) are reported to be associated with obesity. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine MC4R rs17782313, MC4R rs17700633, AGRP rs3412352 and POMCrs1042571 for any association with obesity in North Indian subjects. Methods: The variants were investigated for association in 300 individuals with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and 300 healthy non-obese individuals BMI <30 kg/m2. The genotyping were analyzed by Taqman probes. The statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS software, ver.19 and p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The genotypes of MC4R rs17782313 and POMC rs1042571 were significantly associated with obesity (C), (p=0.02; OR=1.7 and p=0.01; OR=1.6, respectively); however, MC4Rrs17700633 (p=0.001; OR=0.55) was associated with low risk. In addition, AGRPrs3412352 (p=0.93; OR=0.96) showed no association with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) in North Indian subjects. Conclusion: This study provides the report about the significant association of MC4R (rs17782313) and POMC (rs1042571) with morbid obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2), but MC4R (rs17700633) and AGRP (rs34123523) did not show any association with obesity in the studied North Indian population