Transcription factor 7-like 2 gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis

The meta-analysis aimed to investigate transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7 L2) (rs12255372 and rs7903146) gene polymorphisms and its association with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a Caucasian and Asian population. The studies included in this article were obtained using online databases. We searched databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed for case–control articles related to TCF7 L2 polymorphisms and T2DM. To determine TCF7 L2 polymorphisms are significantly associated with T2DM, Metagenyo was used to calculate the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. A total of 15 articles were included in this meta-analysis. TCF7 L2 rs12255372 and rs7903146 gene polymorphisms were strongly related to susceptibility to T2DM in the general population, as shown by the results of a meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis showed that both Asians and Caucasians showed a statistically significant result. This meta-analysis findings supported that TCF7 L2 rs12255372 and rs7903146 gene polymorphisms to determine susceptibility with type 2 diabetes. According to the findings of this study, people with TCF7 L2 gene polymorphisms rs12255372 for allelic, recessive, dominant, and over-dominant models have been connected to T2DM; however, rs7903146 for allelic, recessive, dominant, and over-dominant models have not been associated to the disease

Induction of ROS-Dependent Mitochondria-Mediated Intrinsic Apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 Cells by Glycoprotein from Codium decorticatum

Marine macroalgae consist of a range of bioactive molecules exhibiting different biological activities, and many of these properties are attributed to sulfated polysaccharides, fucoxanthin, phycobiliproteins, and halogenated compounds. In this study, a glycoprotein (GLP) with a molecular mass of ∼48 kDa was extracted and purified from Codium decorticatum and investigated for its cytotoxic properties against human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The IC₅₀ values of GLP against MDA-MB-231 and normal breast HBL-100 cells (control) were 75 ± 0.23 μg/mL (IC₂₅), 55 ± 0.32 μg/mL (IC₅₀), and 30 ± 0.43 μg/mL (IC₇₅) and 90 ± 0.57 μg/mL (IC₂₅), 80 ± 0.48 μg/mL (IC₅₀), and 60 ± 0.26 μg/mL (IC₇₅), respectively. Chromatin condensation and poly­(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage studies showed that the GLP inhibited cell viability by inducing apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells. Induction of mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway by GLP was evidenced by the events of loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m), bax/bcl-2 dysregulation, cytochrome <i>c</i> release, and activation of caspases 3 and 9. Apoptosis-associated factors such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and loss of ΔΨ_m were evaluated by DCFH-DA staining and flow cytometry, respectively. Cell cycle arrest of G₂/M phase and expression of apoptosis associated proteins were determined using flow cytometry and Western blotting, respectively

Laboratory preparedness for SARS-CoV-2 testing in India: Harnessing a network of Virus Research &amp; Diagnostic Laboratories

BACKGROUND &amp; OBJECTIVES: An outbreak of respiratory illness of unknown aetiology was reported from Hubei province of Wuhan, People's Republic of China, in December 2019. The outbreak was attributed to a novel coronavirus (CoV), named as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 and the disease as COVID-19. Within one month, cases were reported from 25 countries. In view of the novel viral strain with reported high morbidity, establishing early countrywide diagnosis to detect imported cases became critical. Here we describe the role of a countrywide network of VRDLs in early diagnosis of COVID-19. METHODS: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, established screening as well as confirmatory assays for SARS-CoV-2. A total of 13 VRDLs were provided with the E gene screening real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assay. VRDLs were selected on the basis of their presence near an international airport/seaport and their past performance. The case definition for testing included all individuals with travel history to Wuhan and symptomatic individuals with travel history to other parts of China. This was later expanded to include symptomatic individuals returning from Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and South Korea. RESULTS: Within a week of standardization of the test at NIV, all VRDLs could initiate testing for SARS-CoV-2. Till February 29, 2020, a total of 2,913 samples were tested. This included both 654 individuals quarantined in the two camps and others fitting within the case definition. The quarantined individuals were tested twice - at days 0 and 14. All tested negative on both occasions. Only three individuals belonging to different districts in Kerala were found to be positive. INTERPRETATION &amp; CONCLUSIONS: Sudden emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and its potential to cause a pandemic posed an unsurmountable challenge to the public health system of India. However, concerted efforts of various arms of the Government of India resulted in a well-coordinated action at each level. India has successfully demonstrated its ability to establish quick diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 at NIV, Pune, and the testing VRDLs