Alzheimer\u27s- the cholinergic hypothesis and gene- targeting stem cell treatment

As the mean age of the world population rises and people\u27s life expectancies increase, the prevalence of Alzheimer\u27s disease will increase and will pose a threat to society in terms of the people affected and the money used. Current therapies are not adequate in that they are unable to extend life beyond a few months. This review will both overview the predominant hypotheses about how to approach the treatment of Alzheimer\u27s as well as discuss some of the treatments available and those in preclinical phases. Finally, we will discuss the ideas and recent research behind gene therapy and stem cell therapy as well as the new ways in which these two methods have been combined and could be combined in the future to create a more effective approach to treating Alzheimer\u27s

Demystifying relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and financial performance: An Indian business perspective

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a desirable approach considering it reduces risks, increases brand value, improves transparency, and has a possible impact on the financial health of the business. Initiated as an act of philanthropy, it has recently become mandatory as a part of the Companies Act, 2013 in India which mandates CSR spending. The study had an objective to validate that CSR disclosures lead to better financial performance of a company and vice-versa. The study analyzed the relationship between CSR disclosure and financial performance and vice versa using various approaches viz., exploratory to understand the trends and practices and statistical by adopting multiple regression modelling techniques. The results of the study reveal that the company’s financial performance (profitability) has a cause and effect relationship with the CSR disclosure and vice versa, which substantiated the theories predicting that CSR can affect the financial performance of the company

Regional Inequality in India: A State Level Analysis

This paper tries to understand the nature and extent of inequality across states of India with special reference to Bihar. This study is based on secondary data collected from various sources including, NSSO, NFHS and other government/non-government documents and reports. The study analyse inequalities under four themes; livelihood, education, health and gender. The analysis finds that, however some positive changes can be seen in terms of enrolment in primary education, but still productivity of education is lowest in Bihar. State government has invested money in attracting students to government schools, but because of low per capita expenditure on education, access to facilities like computer in schools is the lowest in Bihar. In case of health expenditure people of Bihar has to bear significantly higher per capita out of pocket expenditure. Though, Bihar has achieved higher growth in the last couple of years but, still the level of female empowerment is very low in the state. Thus, this study finds that Bihar is still at lowest position in all four themes across states of India and, people of this state is facing grim challenges related to livelihood, quality education and health

Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of APRI and Transient Elastography for prediction of esophageal variceal bleed in liver cirrhosis

Background: Liver Cirrhosis is the end-stage for chronic liver disease. Repeated course of endoscopy is recommended, as this intervention is expensive and often poorly accepted by patients, there is a need for non-invasive methods to predicts the progression of portal hypertension as well as the presence and size of esophageal varices. This study was aimed to assess the APRI and Transient Elastography for predicting esophageal variceal bleed in cirrhotic patients. Objectives of the study were to study Diagnostic accuracy of APRI for Prediction of esophageal variceal bleed in liver cirrhosis, diagnostic accuracy of Transient Elastography for Prediction of esophageal variceal bleed in liver cirrhosis, comparison of diagnostic accuracy of APRI and Transient Elastography for Prediction of esophageal variceal bleed in liver cirrhosis. Methods: It was a Single centre, observational study in 35 patients of chronic liver disease. Patients were included in the study after fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria. CBC, LFT, KFT, SE, viral marker, USG whole abdomen, UGIE, Transient Elastography was done. APRI was calculated for every patient. Results: The APRI and Transient Elastography showed moderate diagnostic accuracy in predicting the presence of esophageal variceal bleed. Transient Elastography performed better for prediction of esophageal variceal bleed. Conclusions: The APRI and Transient Elastography showed moderate diagnostic accuracy in predicting the presence of esophageal variceal bleed. They help in starting prophylactic therapy earlier to prevent the bleeding and other complications of varices. These non-invasive parameters can also play an effective role in conjunction with endoscopy in predicting the presence of esophageal varices

Study of vitamin D level in patients with different etiologies of chronic liver disease and its correlation with Child Pugh class in a tertiary care centre in North India

Background: Skeletal manifestation in liver diseases represents the minimally scrutinized part of the disease spectrum. Vitamin D has a central role in developing hepatic deficiency of osteodystrophy in patients with chronic liver disease. This study aimed to investigate vitamin D levels and their and their relationship with disease advancement in these patients according to child Pugh-score. Aims and Objectives were study of vitamin D level in patients with different aetiology of chronic liver disease and its correlation with child Pugh score. Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted over 200 patients after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria in patients with different etiology of chronic liver disease. Results: In our study total (N=200), 152 patients of alcoholic liver disease 41 patients having deficient vitamin D, 79 having insufficient vitamin D level and 32 patients having normal vitamin D level. Patients of chronic liver disease also have negative correlation on vitamin D level with Child Pugh score. In our study it was found that patients having higher Child Pugh score there is more chance of having vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency than the patient’s low Child Pugh score. Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin d deficiency in patients with CLD was found to be having a significant correlation with increasing CTP score with p value <0.001

A comparative evaluation of gabapentin and clonidine for attenuating pressor responses to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation in hypertensive patients-A prospective double-blinded clinical study

Background: Endotracheal intubation forms an indispensable part of general anesthesia. Various adjuvants have been added to diminish the hemodynamic stress response associated with it. These changes are more marked in hypertensive individuals. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of oral clonidine and oral gabapentin and their associated side effects if any; for attenuation of hemodynamic responses following laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in hypertensive patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 108 hypertensive patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists grade II/III scheduled for elective surgeries requiring general anesthesia were randomly allocated into three groups receiving Group G Tablet gabapentin 800 mg, Group C Tablet clonidine 0.2 mg, and Group P placebo (multivitamin tablets) given 2 h before surgery with a sip of water. The hemodynamic parameters such as heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and adverse events during the perioperative period were noted. The statistical analysis was done by paired t-test, ANOVA, and Chi-square test and by SPSS22 software. Results: The demographic data were comparable in all three groups. There was no significant difference at baseline for HR, SBP, DBP, and MBP in all three groups. The mean HR was significantly lower in Group C as compared to Group G and Group P (P<0.013). The mean SBP, DBP, and MBP was significantly lower in Groups C and G as compared to Group P (P<0.01) before induction, after induction after laryngoscopy and intubation, then at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min after intubation. Conclusion: Clonidine and gabapentin in the abovementioned doses can be safely used for attenuating hemodynamic stress response. Clonidine proved to have better hemodynamic stability and tends to be more effective in attenuating pressor response laryngoscopy and intubation in hypertensive patients when compared to gabapentin

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Utility of Serum Neopterin and Serum IL-2 Receptor Levels to Predict Absolute CD4 T Lymphocyte Count in HIV Infected Cases

A prospective study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of serum neopterin and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) concentrations in comparison to CD4 count to study the progression of HIV disease and monitor response to ART in HIV cases. One hundred newly diagnosed HIV seropositive subjects were recruited. CD4 counts were determined by FACS system. Serum neopterin and sIL-2R levels were measured using enzyme immunoassay. In our study, levels of neopterin and sIL-2R were significantly higher in subjects with CD4 <200 cells/μL (with S. neopterin levels of >25.1 nmol/L and sIL-2R levels of >47.1 pM as cutoff values for CD4 <200 cells/μL) compared to those in subjects with CD4 >200 cells/μL at baseline which indicate that these markers can be utilized for initiation of ART in HIV cases. The levels of these markers decreased significantly after initiation of ART. In patients with CD4 >200 cells/μL, these markers are helpful in predicting disease progression

Newer Horizon of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy in the Management of SARS-CoV-2-Associated Mucormycosis: A Safe Hope for Future Medicine

SARS-CoV-2-infected patients are reported to show immunocompromised behavior that gives rise to a wide variety of complications due to impaired innate immune response, cytokine storm, and thrombo-inflammation. Prolonged use of steroids, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) are some of the factors responsible for the growth of Mucorales in such immunocompromised patients and, thus, can lead to a life-threatening condition referred to as mucormycosis. Therefore, an early diagnosis and cell-based management cosis is the need of the hour to help affected patients overcome this severe condition. In addition, extended exposure to antifungal drugs/therapeutics is found to initiate hormonal and neurological complications. More recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used to exhibit immunomodulatory function and proven to be beneficial in a clinical cell-based regenerative approach. The immunomodulation ability of MSCs in mucormycosis patient boosts the immunity by the release of chemotactic proteins. MSC-based therapy in mucormycosis along with the combination of short-term antifungal drugs can be utilized as a prospective approach for mucormycosis treatment with promising outcomes. However, preclinical and in mucormyIn mucormycosis, the hyphae of clinical trials are needed to establish the precise mechanism of MSCs in mucormycosis treatment