Study of seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-COV-2 among the healthy blood donors of Jammu region

Background: SARS‑CoV‑2 emerged in China and spread throughout the world due to its rapid transmission. The exposure rate in the healthy population is unknown, mainly in resource‑limited countries. Herein, we estimated the seroprevalence of anti‑SARS‑CoV‑2 antibodies and risk factors among blood donors at our blood bank and to describe some characteristics of those that test positive. The objective of the study was to measure the levels of IgG antibodies targeting the SARS-CoV2 during the peak period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Jammu State, India to know the magnitude of SARS-CoV-2 exposure, the prevalence of herd immunity in the population.Methods: This is prospective observational study of COVID-19 seroprevalence among blood donors that complied with blood donation protocol. Participation in study was voluntary after taking proper consent on the consent form.Results: A total of 750 random blood donors who voluntarily participated, were enrolled in this study after obtaining their proper consent on the consent form. Out of 750 donors, 287 (38.2%) were positive for IgG antibodies and 463 (61.7%) were negative for IgG antibodies. In our study, male donors (745) outnumbered the female donors but on the other hand female donors showed a higher prevalence of covid antibodies i.e., 60% as compared to male donors i.e., 38% which is a statistically significant difference (p<0.005).Conclusions: A high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was detected among blood donors which indicated a high level of exposure to the virus within the population and development of innate immunity against the virus. This could help us to introduce a protocol of antibody testing in the screening of blood donors to enhance the number of plasma donation cases for the treatment of serious COVID patients

Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the blood donation and utilization and strategies adopted to combat it in a tertiary care center of Jammu province

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has major implications for blood transfusion. There are uncertain patterns of demand, and transfusion institutions need to plan for reductions in donations and loss of crucial staff because of sickness and public health restrictions. A range of strategies need to be planned to maintain ongoing equitable access to blood for transfusion during the pandemic, in addition to providing new therapies such as convalescent plasma. The main role of transfusion institutions during this period, is the monitoring of supply and demand so that sufficient blood stocks are maintained to support ongoing critical needs. The main aim of our study was to study the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on blood transfusion services (BTS) and to identify the challenges faced by our blood center and mitigation strategies adopted to combat it.Methods: Total number of donations and total number of blood and its components issued were noted from the donor and issue registers respectively, both during the pre-COVID and COVID-19 pandemic and the results were compared thereafter. Various strategies were adopted during the COVID pandemic in order to maintain balance between demand and supply of blood and its products.Results: There has been sudden decrease in the number of blood donations in the month of April 2020 (35%) in the COVID pandemic as compared to pre-COVID time with percentage difference of 65%. This was followed by gradual decrease in the no. of donations in COVID pandemic when compared with donations in the pre-COVID time. The percentage difference in blood donation gradually improved over a period of time from 65% in April 2020 to 7% in April 2021. Similarly, no. of blood units issued also decreased from 1147 in April 2019 to 553 units in April 2020.Conclusions: The BTS need to provide an uninterrupted blood supply, and this stays true even in the face of a pandemic. The plan of action has to be started early so that the supply can be maintained and monitored effectively. Health-care workers being one of the main pillars in the fight against COVID-19 have to be supported and protected.

Assessment of small interactions and structural gradient at the interface of FRP composites by FTIR-imaging and DSC techniques

Environmental degradation of FRP composite was studied. The degradation study basically included hygrothermal and cryogenic treatment. Study of chemical and mechanical behaviour at the interface of the fibre reinforced polymer composites is an area of research now a day. Many complex reactions occur at the interface due to moisture absorption, temperature and cryogenic treatment and very little information is available regarding the chemical deviation near the interface due to moisture absorption. Micro-composites were prepared to investigate the chemical deviation of hygrothermally samples and layered structures were prepared to study the mechanical behaviour of cryogenically treated samples

POTENTIAL ANTI-CANCER SUPERFOODS: A MINIREVIEW

Cancer, a leading cause of mortality worldwide, has gained much attention and concern for its debilitating effects. Among the various oncological treatments and therapies like surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy, immune therapy, targeted therapy, Chemoprevention or Chemotherapy has recently being recognized as a promising strategy for prevention of afflicting disease like cancer. Chemoprevention is the use of natural or synthetic agents (alone or in combination) to suppress or prevent the process of oncogenesis. The role of diet and nutrition in cancer development has been overlooked for decades, despite of its strong scientific evidence. Only in recent years, plants, vegetables, herbs and spices of traditional diet and medicines have been accepted as one of the main sources of chemo preventive substances

Spectrum of CREBBP mutations in Indian patients with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome

Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RSTS), a developmental disorder comprising abnormalities that include mental retardation, an unusual facial appearance, broad thumbs and big toes is frequently associated with molecular lesions in the CREB-binding protein gene, CREBBP. The objective of the present study was to identify and analyse CREBBP mutations in Indian RSTS patients on which there are no data. Direct sequencing of CREBBP performed in 13 RSTS patients identified the three zinc fingers (CH1, CH2, CH3) and HAT domain as mutational hotspots in which ten novel pathogenic mutations were localized. Functional analysis revealed that three of these mutations affecting amino acids Glu1459, Leu1668 and Glu1724 were critical for histone acetyltransferase activity. Twenty-eight novel CREBBP single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were also identified in the Indian population. Linkage disequilibrium studies revealed associations between (i) SNP (rs129974/c.3836-206G greater than C) and mutation (p.Asp1340Ala); (ii) (rs130002) with mutation (p.Asn435Lys) and (iii) SNPs rs129974, rs130002 and SNP (c.3836-206G greater than C) signifying a disease affection status. In conclusion, the present study reports the highest detection rate of CREBBP mutations (76.9%) in RSTS patients to date, of which ten are predicted to be pathogenic and three critical for histone acetyltransferase activity. Moreover, identification of the association of CREBBP polymorphisms with disease susceptibility could be an important risk factor for the pathogenesis of RSTS

Adverse events following immunization among children during primary immunizations in selected health facility of Himachal Pradesh

Background: Vaccine related problems are commonly reported after immunizations and are a matter of concern for health care professionals. A study on the pattern and rate of incidences of vaccine related problems was conducted among children undergoing primary immunizations. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in Zonal hospital, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. 150 mothers and their children undergoing immunization were enrolled in the study using systematic random sampling and followed on every immunization event until nine months. Vaccine related problems were enquired at every immunization events namely birth, six weeks, ten weeks, fourteen weeks and nine months using a self-structured tool to assess vaccine related problems among children. Results: Pain at vaccination site, redness and swelling, excessive crying, fever, and sleep related problems, feeding problems and fever were common AEFIs reported by mothers among children. Conclusion:  AEFIs are frequent and need to be reported. None of the child had any severe reaction or hospitalization after immunization

Effectiveness of buffy coat leucoreduced packed red blood cells in decreasing febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions in thalassemic patients

Background: Blood transfusions have always been associated with a number of adverse outcomes which have steadily decreased over years owing to new discoveries and technical advancements. Thalassemic patients are more prone to transfusions related complications owing to repeated transfusions. Study of these reactions and correlating them with the leucodepletion status of the transfused packed red blood cells (PRBCs) reduces transfusion complications due to the transfused leukocytes.Methods: This is a prospective study carried out on 1750 transfusions in 138 thalassemic patients at our institute between August 2015 and March 2016. The total transfusions were classified into four categories depending on the leucodepletion status of the PRBC’s. The clinical records and the reaction workup done to rule out the hemolytic reactions were recorded.Results: Reactions were recorded in 17 (0.97%) out of a total of 1750 transfusions. 14 (4.1%) reactions were recorded on transfusions of non-leukoreduced PRBCs whereas only 2 (0.16%) reactions were recorded in leucoreduced (buffy coat) PRBCs. 1 (0.8%) reaction was recorded on transfusion of leucodepleted PRBCs done by bedside filter. No reaction was documented when buffy coat leucoreduced PRBCs were used along bedside filter.Conclusions: Elimination of WBCs from donor packed cells results in reduction of adverse reactions following blood transfusion. Various methods of leucoreduction have been successfully employed in the past and shown to reduce transfusion reactions in multi transfused thalassemic patients. In resource limited settings, leukoreduction using the buffy-coat method is an effective intervention in reducing the transfusion reactions

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND ANTIPROLIFERATIVE ACTION OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF LIQUORICE (GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA) IN HEPG2 CELL LINE

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity of liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) against H2O2 induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cell line.Methods: Antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra was investigated by measuring total phenolic content using folin-ciocalteu reagent (FCR), free radical scavenging activity by DPPH and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in the extract was confirmed by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. Furthermore, the protective effect of methanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra against oxidative stress induced by H2O2 in HepG2 cells was investigated by MTT assay. HepG2 cells were exposed with five different treatments viz. liquorice, H2O2, ascorbic acid, H2O2+liquorice and H2O2+ascorbic acid, to explore the effect of the extract on malondialdehyde (MDA) production, catalase activity, and glutathione reductase levels.Results: The total phenolic content estimated in Glycyrrhiza glabra extract was found to be 241.47 µg per 1000 µg/ml of methanolic extract. It was found that as the concentration of the extract was increased both the free radical scavenging activity and ferric ion reducing power was also found to increase. LC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of eight different phenolic compounds in the methanolic extract which are possibly contributing to the antioxidant activity exhibited by the extract. It was also observed that liquorice treated HepG2 cells showed lower MDA and higher glutathione and catalase levels as compared to only H2O2 treated HepG2 cells where increased MDA production, decreased glutathione reductase and catalase production was observed.Conclusion: Our results thus conclude that, the methanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra can be used as natural supplements in various disease conditions where oxidative stress has been reported. Â

Microsporidial Keratoconjunctivitis

This is a Photo Essay and does not have an abstract

Recent Trends in In-silico Drug Discovery

A Drug designing is a process in which new leads (potential drugs) are discovered which have therapeutic benefits in diseased condition. With development of various computational tools and availability of databases (having information about 3D structure of various molecules) discovery of drugs became comparatively, a faster process. The two major drug development methods are structure based drug designing and ligand based drug designing. Structure based methods try to make predictions based on three dimensional structure of the target molecules. The major approach of structure based drug designing is Molecular docking, a method based on several sampling algorithms and scoring functions. Docking can be performed in several ways depending upon whether ligand and receptors are rigid or flexible. Hotspot grafting, is another method of drug designing. It is preferred when the structure of a native binding protein and target protein complex is available and the hotspots on the interface are known. In absence of information of three Dimensional structure of target molecule, Ligand based methods are used. Two common methods used in ligand based drug designing are Pharmacophore modelling and QSAR. Pharmacophore modelling explains only essential features of an active ligand whereas QSAR model determines effect of certain property on activity of ligand. Fragment based drug designing is a de novo approach of building new lead compounds using fragments within the active site of the protein. All the candidate leads obtained by various drug designing method need to satisfy ADMET properties for its development as a drug. In-silico ADMET prediction tools have made ADMET profiling an easier and faster process. In this review, various softwares available for drug designing and ADMET property predictions have also been listed