Why Can't I feel My Feet? : Antibodies Playing on the Nerve Floor

The Book Article is originally received the "Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research (AWSAR)" award under the Best PhD Stories category in the book titled "AWSAR Awarded Popular Science Stories". AWSAR is a great initiative that aims to disseminate research stories in an easy-to-understand, exciting and compelling-read format among the common people; conceptualised and supported by the National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) Division, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India. The book was published by famous "Vigyan Prasar" (in Hindi "विज्ञान प्रसार"), an autonomous science communication platform under the aegis of DST.Correspondence: [email protected]

Inhibition of NO2, PGE2, TNF-α, and iNOS EXpression by Shorea robusta L.: An Ethnomedicine Used for Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activity

This paper is an attempt to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and the possible mechanism of action of tender leaf extracts of Shorea robusta, traditionally used in ailments related to inflammation. The acetic-acid-induced writhing and tail flick tests were carried out for analgesic activity, while the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in carrageenan-and dextran- induced paw edema and cotton-pellet-induced granuloma model. The acetic-acid-induced vascular permeability, erythrocyte membrane stabilization, release of proinflammatory mediators (nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2), and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukins-1β and -6) from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytic cell lines were assessed to understand the mechanism of action. The results revealed that both aqueous and methanol extract (400 mg/kg) caused significant reduction of writhing and tail flick, paw edema, granuloma tissue formation (P < 0.01), vascular permeability, and membrane stabilization. Interestingly, the aqueous extract at 40 μg/mL significantly inhibited the production of NO and release of PGE2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Chemically the extract contains flavonoids and triterpenes and toxicity study showed that the extract is safe. Thus, our study validated the scientific rationale of ethnomedicinal use of S. robusta and unveils its mechanism of action. However, chronic toxicological studies with active constituents are needed before its use

NEUROLOGICAL IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC: LESSONS & CAUTIONS

International audienceCoronavirus disease COVID-19 caused by SARSCoV-2 infection leading the current precarious pandemic which is affecting most of the countries in the world. Clinical portrait of COVID-19 might vary from trivial to debilitating febrile illness. Recent hospital-based studies have recorded the possible neurological symptomatology of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Neurological complications might be of Central Nervous System (CNS) such as dizziness,headache, consciousness impairment, cerebrovascular illness, epilepsy, ataxia and encephalopathy. PeripheralNervous System (PNS) illnesses include Guillain-Barré syndrome, hyposmia, hypogeusia, neuralgia. Positive results of Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and serological assays in patients before and during neurological symptoms infer the possibility of both para and post-infectious association of neurological disorders with SARS-CoV-2. Elements of SARS-CoV-2 have been spotted in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) too

IRoN initiative

Integrated Research on Neuroscienc

Combo Therapy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Animal Models of CNS Injury: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Context: The potential of neurorestoration by combining Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) in animal models of CNS injury is a promising avenue for research. MSCs are known for their neuroregeneration capacity, while HBO offers neuroprotective properties. This combo therapy is being investigated to determine its efficacy in alleviating neuronal damage when compared to individual treatments with MSCs or HBO alone. Rationale: The rationale for combining MSCs and HBO in the treatment of CNS injuries is based on their collective potential. MSCs facilitate tissue repair and regeneration, while HBO enhances oxygen supply and reduces inflammation. By integrating these complementary mechanisms of action, an optimal environment for neuronal recovery and repair is created. The systematic review and meta-analysis of in vivo studies based on the combo therapy seek to evaluate its efficacy in mitigating neuronal damage, surpassing the outcomes achieved by individual treatments with MSCs or HBO alone. This integrated approach holds promise in advancing the field of CNS injury treatment by harnessing the distinctive strengths of both MSCs and HBO to maximize therapeutic outcomes by improving neuronal health and function

Revisiting Antibiotic Resistance: Mechanistic Foundations to Evolutionary Outlook

Antibiotics are the pivotal pillar of contemporary healthcare and have contributed towards its advancement over the decades. Antibiotic resistance emerged as a critical warning to public wellbeing because of unsuccessful management efforts. Resistance is a natural adaptive tool that offers selection pressure to bacteria, and hence cannot be stopped entirely but rather be slowed down. Antibiotic resistance mutations mostly diminish bacterial reproductive fitness in an environment without antibiotics; however, a fraction of resistant populations ‘accidentally’ emerge as the fittest and thrive in a specific environmental condition, thus favouring the origin of a successful resistant clone. Therefore, despite the time-to-time amendment of treatment regimens, antibiotic resistance has evolved relentlessly. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), we are rapidly approaching a ‘post-antibiotic’ era. The knowledge gap about antibiotic resistance and room for progress is evident and unified combating strategies to mitigate the inadvertent trends of resistance seem to be lacking. Hence, a comprehensive understanding of the genetic and evolutionary foundations of antibiotic resistance will be efficacious to implement policies to force-stop the emergence of resistant bacteria and treat already emerged ones. Prediction of possible evolutionary lineages of resistant bacteria could offer an unswerving impact in precision medicine. In this review, we will discuss the key molecular mechanisms of resistance development in clinical settings and their spontaneous evolution.</jats:p

Revisiting Antibiotic Resistance: Mechanistic Foundations to Evolutionary Outlook

Antibiotics are the pivotal pillar of contemporary healthcare and have contributed towards its advancement over the decades. Antibiotic resistance emerged as a critical warning to public wellbeing because of unsuccessful management efforts. Resistance is a natural adaptive tool that offers selection pressure to bacteria, and hence cannot be stopped entirely but rather be slowed down. Antibiotic resistance mutations mostly diminish bacterial reproductive fitness in an environment without antibiotics; however, a fraction of resistant populations ‘accidentally’ emerge as the fittest and thrive in a specific environmental condition, thus favouring the origin of a successful resistant clone. Therefore, despite the time-to-time amendment of treatment regimens, antibiotic resistance has evolved relentlessly. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), we are rapidly approaching a ‘post-antibiotic’ era. The knowledge gap about antibiotic resistance and room for progress is evident and unified combating strategies to mitigate the inadvertent trends of resistance seem to be lacking. Hence, a comprehensive understanding of the genetic and evolutionary foundations of antibiotic resistance will be efficacious to implement policies to force-stop the emergence of resistant bacteria and treat already emerged ones. Prediction of possible evolutionary lineages of resistant bacteria could offer an unswerving impact in precision medicine. In this review, we will discuss the key molecular mechanisms of resistance development in clinical settings and their spontaneous evolution