Effect of altitude and harvest year on nutraceutical characteristics of Rubus ellipticus fruits.

Rubus ellipticus Smith is an evergreen shrub in the Rosaceae family, commonly known as yellow Himalayan raspberry. The objective of this study is to determine the morphological analysis, minerals, proximate, ascorbic acid, anthocyanins, and carotenoids content in R. ellipticus fruits. The fruit samples were collected from four different sites with different altitudes [500 m (District Bilaspur), 1,000 m (District Hamirpur), 1,500 m (District Solan) and 2,000 m (District Shimla)] of Himachal Pradesh for the two consecutive years (2018 and 2019). The fruit morphological investigation revealed that the maximum length (7.71 ± 0.08 mm), width (8.71 ± 0.03 mm), and weight (0.80 ± 0.01 g) of fruits is achieved at higher altitudes (2,000 m) in the year 2018 as compared to 2019. The mineral content (0.05-36.6 mg/g DW), ascorbic acid content (14.59-23.64 mg/g DW), proteins (95.20-131 mg/g DW), and crude fibers (5.6-11.5%) were also higher in fruits grown at 2,000 m altitude, whereas carbohydrates (210-398 mg/g DW), crude fat (2.4-4.1%), and anthocyanins (0.42-1.35 mg/100 g FW) contents were higher in fruits collected from 500 m altitude. According to the results, R. ellipticus fruits were rich in crude fiber, moisture, carbohydrates, protein, ash, and crude fat, as well as in micronutrients, and displayed significant variation with altitude in nutrient content. This could be due to the different environmental, geographical, and weather conditions. The high nutrient content of R. ellipticus suggests its future potential applications for the food and pharmaceutical industry.

Phytomediated Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Derived from the Fronds of Adiantum venustum D.Don: Evaluation of their Biomedical Potential.

The green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO) mediated by crude ethanolic extract and the n-butanol fraction of Adiantum venustum represents a groundbreaking approach in nanotechnology, combining ecological sustainability with advanced functionality. This innovative method leverages the natural bioactive compounds present in A. venustum to produce CuO nanoparticles, which exhibit remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-proliferative properties. The green synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using a variety of techniques, as XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of the CuO nanoparticles, with a crystallite size of 14.65 nm for CuO-C and 18.73 nm for CuO-B. The grain sizes of CuO-C (14.09 ± 0.17 nm) and CuO-B (67.88 ± 2.08 nm) were determined using transmission electron microscopy micrographs. Furthermore, the synthesized nanomaterial and the crude ethanolic extract, n-butanol fraction, were examined for their biological potentials namely antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-proliferative activity against HeLa cancer cells. Among the synthesized nanomaterials, copper oxide nanoparticles synthesized by utilizing the n-butanol fraction have appeared as a potential biomedical agent. CuO-B has arisen as an antioxidant agent with IC50 values of 44.63 ± 0.49 µg/mL, 48.49 ± 0.17 µg/mL, and 35.39 ± 0.61 µg/mL for DPPH, FRAP, and reducing power assay, respectively. Furthermore, the significant antibacterial potential of CuO-B against gram-positive (S. aureus MIC 46.88 µg/mL) and gram-negative (K. pneumonia MIC 23.48 µg/mL) bacterial strains cannot be neglected either. Along with this, the IC50 value (138.07 µg/mL) of CuO-B against HeLa cells proved it to be a potential anticancerous agent. Hence, this novel approach emphasized that these synthesized nanoparticles have tremendous biological potential and can be applied to various fields of agriculture and biomedicine.

Relationship of emotional intelligence and capability of answering higher-order knowledge questions in physiology among first-year medical students.

Emotional intelligence (EI) has a positive correlation with the academic performance of medical students. However, why there is a positive correlation needs further exploration. We hypothesized that the capability of answering higher-order knowledge questions (HOQs) is higher in students with higher EI. Hence, we assessed the correlation between EI and the capability of medical students to answer HOQs in physiology. First-year undergraduate medical students (n = 124) from an Indian medical college were recruited as a convenient sample. EI was assessed by the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT), a 33-item self-administered validated questionnaire. A specially designed objective examination with 15 lower-order and 15 higher-order multiple-choice questions was conducted. The correlation between the examination score and the EI score was tested by Pearson's correlation coefficient. Data from 92 students (33 females and 59 males) with a mean age of 20.14 ± 1.87 yr were analyzed. Overall, students got a percentage of 53.37 ± 14.07 in the examination, with 24.46 ± 9.1 in HOQs and 28.91 ± 6.58 in lower-order knowledge questions (LOQs). They had a mean score of 109.58 ± 46.2 in SSEIT. The correlation coefficient of SSEIT score with total marks was r = 0.29 (P = 0.0037), with HOQs was r = 0.41 (P < 0.0001), and with LOQs was r = 0.14 (P = 0.19). Hence, there is a positive correlation between EI and the capability of medical students to answer HOQs in physiology. This study may be the foundation for further exploration of the capability of answering HOQs in other subjects.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study assessed the correlation between emotional intelligence (EI) and the capability of medical students to answer higher-order knowledge questions (HOQs) in the specific context of physiology. The finding reveals one of the multifaceted dimensions of the relationship between EI and academic performance. This novel perspective opens the door to further investigations to explore the relationship in other subjects and other dimensions to understand why students with higher EI have higher academic performance.

Traditional uses, hepatoprotective potential, and phytopharmacology of Tinospora cordifolia: a narrative review.

OBJECTIVES: Despite significant advancements in modern medicine, effective hepatoprotective medication with minimal side effects is still lacking. In this context. Tinospora cordifolia, an Indian Ayurvedic liana, has attracted much attention. KEY FINDINGS: Traditionally, T. cordifolia has been found to be effective in the treatment of jaundice; according to the literature, T. cordifolia is a hepatoprotective agent, and the CCl4 model is the most frequently used to evaluate its potential. Its hepatoprotective effects might be attributed to alkaloids (berberine, palmatine, and jatrorrhizine) and sinapic acid. Berberine decreases inflammation by inhibiting the proinflammatory cascade triggered by TNF-α and reduces nitrosative stress by inhibiting iNOS. T. cordifolia also exhibits anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and other activities; it is safe at concentrations up to 2000 mg/kg. Its biological action can be attributed to polyphenols, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, and glycosides. T. cordifolia has also been found to be an active ingredient in several polyherbal formulations used to treat chemical-mediated hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSION: T. cordifolia's hepatoprotective effects are mediated by the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, the management of oxidative stress, and other factors. T. cordifolia can be used to manage liver disorders and as a hepatoprotective supplement in the food industry. The bioprospecting of its alkaloids can lead to the development of novel formulations against hepatic ailments.

Comparing the Efficacy of Individual Approaches and Team-Based Approaches in Solving Clinical Case Vignettes.

Background Clinical case vignettes are a widely adopted pedagogical approach in medical education. The cases may be presented to students with a closed response option for objectivity. While solving clinical cases has demonstrated its effectiveness in enhancing medical students' clinical reasoning, there is an ongoing debate regarding the most effective approach: individual problem-solving or team-based problem-solving. Objective To observe and compare the score obtained from individual clinical problem-solving approaches versus team-based clinical problem-solving approaches. Methods After obtaining consent, a total of 100 students were randomly selected for the study. The participants were divided into two groups: an individual approach group (IAG) (n=25) and a team-based approach group (TAG) comprising 25 groups of three students each. Both groups were presented with a set of 10 clinical problems, each requiring a closed-answer response of "yes", "no", or "don't know". The participants' responses were recorded and analyzed to evaluate their problem-solving efficacy. Results A total of 25 responses were obtained from 25 students from the IAG group and 25 responses from 25 groups from the TAG group. There was no difference between the score in IAG (7.44±1.12) and TAG (7.52 1.66) p-value=0.58. There was no difference between individual scores in 10 questions between IAG and TAG groups. Conclusion The study found no significant score differences between individual and team-based clinical case-solving groups. Hence, for the objective type of case-solving pattern used in this study, a team-based approach may not be necessary. Further research is needed to explore factors for such findings in future studies.

Pyrus pashia fruit extract and its major phytometabolite chrysin prevent hippocampal apoptosis and memory impairment in PTZ-kindled mice.

OBJECTIVES: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition with recurrent seizures. One-third of epilepsy patients experience unacceptable side effects from antiepileptic drugs. Pyrus pashia is a deciduous tree from southern Asia. Ethnomedicinally, Malakand tribes use its fruits for epilepsy treatment. Our prior research demonstrated the anticonvulsive properties of ethanolic extract of Pyrus pashia (EPP) and its bioactive compound chrysin in acute seizure tests. This study aims to investigate the impact of EPP and chrysin on cognitive impairment in a PTZ-induced kindling mice model of epilepsy. METHODS: Swiss albino male mice were equally divided into four groups. The first group received 0.5% carboxy methyl cellulose dissolved in normal saline while the other three groups were pre-treated with Diazepam (DZP) (1 mg/kg, i.p.), EPP (200 mg/kg, p.o.) and chrysin (5 mg/kg, p.o.). After 30 min, all groups were administered PTZ (35 mg/kg, i.p.) and evaluated for seizure severity, cognitive function, and neuronal apoptosis. Western blot analysis was conducted to analyze the expressions of apoptosis biomarkers and memory-related genes, including cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). RESULTS: The therapeutic effects of EPP and Chrysin were comparable to DZP in terms of reducing seizure severity, but unlike DZP, they prevented PTZ-induced memory impairment in experimental animals. Additionally, they increased the levels of BDNF and CREB while reducing apoptotic biomarkers in the hippocampus of experimental animals. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the leads offered by this study EPP and its major bioactive constituent, could be developed as the treatment option for epilepsy.

Role of Hematological Parameters in the Grading of COVID-19 and a Model to Predict the Outcome in Inpatients.

Introduction Human coronaviruses, identified in the 1960s, are known culprits of respiratory infections. Classified into alpha, beta, gamma, and delta subgroups, these viruses have the capacity to transition from animal reservoirs to causing severe respiratory ailments in humans. Notable outbreaks like the 2003 severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (SARS) epidemic and the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic underscore the recurring emergence of novel coronaviruses with severe human infection potential. COVID-19, driven by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly become a leading global cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome. Immune system disruptions and cytokine imbalances contribute to severe cases, necessitating early diagnosis and precise severity assessment. Methodology This retrospective cross-sectional study encompassed 211 COVID-19 patients admitted to AIIMS Patna from May to July 2020. Clinical and hematological parameters, including neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, red and white blood cell counts, platelet count, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum ferritin, and d-dimer, were meticulously recorded. Patients were categorized into non-severe and severe groups using the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) 2. Results  Our findings underscore the pivotal role of hematological markers in gauging COVID-19 severity. Notably, markers such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived NLR, lymphocyte monocyte ratio, platelet lymphocyte ratio, d-dimer, CRP, and serum ferritin exhibited notable elevation in severe cases. Survival analysis further established the predictive potential of these markers in assessing disease progression and mortality risk. We advocate for the integration of these markers into existing severity assessment frameworks to foster objective clinical evaluations. Conclusion In conclusion, our study unravels the intricate connection between COVID-19 severity and hematological parameters. We emphasize the early warning capabilities of NLR, derived NLR, platelet lymphocyte ratio, and other markers in predicting disease progression. This research underscores the imperative need to incorporate hematological markers into the evaluation of COVID-19 severity, thereby providing invaluable insights for enhancing clinical practice and patient outcomes.

Synthesis and evaluation of highly potent HBV capsid assembly modulators (CAMs).

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global health burden. It affects more than 290 million individuals worldwide and is responsible for approximately 900,000 deaths annually. Anti-HBV treatment with a nucleoside analog in combination with pegylated interferon are considered first-line therapy for patients with chronic HBV infection and liver inflammation. However, because cure rates are low, most patients will require lifetime treatment. HBV Capsid Assembly Modulators (CAMs) have emerged as a promising new class of compounds as they can affect levels of HBV covalently closed-circular DNA (cccDNA) associated with viral persistence. SAR studies around the core structure of lead HBV CAM GLP-26 (Fig. 1B) was performed and led to the discovery of non-toxic compound 10a displaying sub-nanomolar anti-HBV activity. Advanced toxicity and cellular pharmacology profiles of compounds 10a were also established and the results are discussed herein.

Comparison of Cardiovascular Response to Lower Body and Whole Body Exercise Among Sedentary Young Adults.

Background Cardiovascular responses to exercise are essential indicators of cardiovascular health and fitness. Understanding how different types of exercise, such as lower-body and whole-body exercises, impact these responses is crucial for designing effective fitness programs and assessing cardiovascular function. Aim This study aimed to compare the cardiovascular response of young adults during lower-body exercise using a bicycle ergometer and whole-body exercise on a treadmill. Methods Thirty-two healthy young adults participated in this study. Each participant completed two exercise sessions on separate days: lower-body exercise on a bicycle ergometer with a fixed cadence of 60 rpm with a breaking resistance of 1.75 kg and whole-body exercise on a treadmill with a speed of 1.7 mph and a 10% grade. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (BP), and diastolic BP were measured at rest and immediately after a three-minute exercise. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests to compare the cardiovascular responses between the two exercise modalities. Results A total of 17 male and 15 female young adults with a mean age of 20.87±1.43 years participated in the study. The male and female participants had similar ages (p =0.56) and body mass indexes (p = 0.1). There was a higher HR (129.16±2.67 versus 150.87±3.23, p<0.0001) and systolic BP (127.29±2.34 versus 144.9±4.16, p<0.0001) and lower diastolic BP (68.97±2.41 versus 62.97±2.31, p<0.0001) in whole body exercise on treadmill compared to lower body exercise in bicycle ergometer. The effect size was large enough as Cohen's d was 7.33, 5.13, and 2.54 for HR, systolic BP, and diastolic BP, respectively. Conclusion In sedentary young adults, treadmill exercise led to higher HR, systolic BP, and lower diastolic BP than bicycle ergometer exercise. Increased muscle recruitment might result in higher energy expenditure, increasing the HR and systolic BP to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the working muscles. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and long-term implications for precise exercise recommendations and better cardiovascular health management.

Performance of Large Language Models (ChatGPT, Bing Search, and Google Bard) in Solving Case Vignettes in Physiology.

Background Large language models (LLMs) have emerged as powerful tools capable of processing and generating human-like text. These LLMs, such as ChatGPT (OpenAI Incorporated, Mission District, San Francisco, United States), Google Bard (Alphabet Inc., CA, US), and Microsoft Bing (Microsoft Corporation, WA, US), have been applied across various domains, demonstrating their potential to assist in solving complex tasks and improving information accessibility. However, their application in solving case vignettes in physiology has not been explored. This study aimed to assess the performance of three LLMs, namely, ChatGPT (3.5; free research version), Google Bard (Experiment), and Microsoft Bing (precise), in answering cases vignettes in Physiology. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2023. A total of 77 case vignettes in physiology were prepared by two physiologists and were validated by two other content experts. These cases were presented to each LLM, and their responses were collected. Two physiologists independently rated the answers provided by the LLMs based on their accuracy. The ratings were measured on a scale from 0 to 4 according to the structure of the observed learning outcome (pre-structural = 0, uni-structural = 1, multi-structural = 2, relational = 3, extended-abstract). The scores among the LLMs were compared by Friedman's test and inter-observer agreement was checked by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results The overall scores for ChatGPT, Bing, and Bard in the study, with a total of 77 cases, were found to be 3.19±0.3, 2.15±0.6, and 2.91±0.5, respectively, p<0.0001. Hence, ChatGPT 3.5 (free version) obtained the highest score, Bing (Precise) had the lowest score, and Bard (Experiment) fell in between the two in terms of performance. The average ICC values for ChatGPT, Bing, and Bard were 0.858 (95% CI: 0.777 to 0.91, p<0.0001), 0.975 (95% CI: 0.961 to 0.984, p<0.0001), and 0.964 (95% CI: 0.944 to 0.977, p<0.0001), respectively. Conclusion ChatGPT outperformed Bard and Bing in answering case vignettes in physiology. Hence, students and teachers may think about choosing LLMs for their educational purposes accordingly for case-based learning in physiology. Further exploration of their capabilities is needed for adopting those in medical education and support for clinical decision-making.

Large Language Models in Hematology Case Solving: A Comparative Study of ChatGPT-3.5, Google Bard, and Microsoft Bing.

Background Large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT-3.5, Google Bard, and Microsoft Bing, have shown promising capabilities in various natural language processing (NLP) tasks. However, their performance and accuracy in solving domain-specific questions, particularly in the field of hematology, have not been extensively investigated. Objective This study aimed to explore the capability of LLMs, namely, ChatGPT-3.5, Google Bard, and Microsoft Bing (Precise), in solving hematology-related cases and comparing their performance. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Physiology and Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, Jharkhand, India. We curated a set of 50 cases on hematology covering a range of topics and complexities. The dataset included queries related to blood disorders, hematologic malignancies, laboratory test parameters, calculations, and treatment options. Each case and related question was prepared with a set of correct answers to compare with. We utilized ChatGPT-3.5, Google Bard Experiment, and Microsoft Bing (Precise) for question-answering tasks. The answers were checked by two physiologists and one pathologist. They rated the answers on a rating scale from one to five. The average score of the three models was compared by Friedman's test with Dunn's post-hoc test. The performance of the LLMs was compared with a median of 2.5 by a one-sample median test as the curriculum from which the questions were curated has a 50% pass grade. Results The scores among the three LLMs were significantly different (p-value < 0.0001) with the highest score by ChatGPT (3.15±1.19), followed by Bard (2.23±1.17) and Bing (1.98±1.01). The score of ChatGPT was significantly higher than 50% (p-value = 0.0004), Bard's score was close to 50% (p-value = 0.38), and Bing's score was significantly lower than the pass score (p-value = 0.0015). Conclusion The LLMs reveal significant differences in solving case vignettes in hematology. ChatGPT exhibited the highest score, followed by Google Bard and Microsoft Bing. The observed performance trends suggest that ChatGPT holds promising potential in the medical domain. However, none of the models was capable of answering all questions accurately. Further research and optimization of language models can offer valuable contributions to healthcare and medical education applications.

In-silico, in-vitro and ex-vivo evidence of combining silymarin phytopharmaceutical with piperine, and fulvic acid for enhancing its solubility and permeability.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Even if with such a high mortality there is no definite treatment approved. Thus, there is a need to develop a formulation which can have multiple pharmacological activities. Herbal drugs are among the most promising compounds that act by different pharmacological actions. For increasing the bio-activity of Silymarin we had isolated five active biomarker molecules from silymarin extract (as a Phytopharmaceutical) in our previous work. It possesses lower bioavailability due to poor solubility, lesser permeability and first pass metabolism effect. Therefore, from the literature we had screened two bioavailability enhancers i.e. piperine and fulvic acid for overcoming the drawbacks associated with silymarin. Hence, in this study we had first explored the ADME-T parameters and then evaluated their in-silico activity for different enzymes involved in inflammation and fibrosis. Interestingly, it was found that besides the bioavailability enhancing property, piperine and fulvic acid also shown anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic action, particularly more activity was demonstrated by fulvic acid than piperine. Furthermore, the concentration of the bioavailability enhancers i.e. 20% FA and 10% PIP were optimized by QbD assisted solubility studies. Moreover, the percentage release and apparent permeability coefficient of the optimized formulation was found to be 95% and 90%, respectively as compared to 6.54*106 and 1.63*106 respectively by SM suspension alone. Furthermore, it was found that plain rhodamine solution penetrated only up to 10 um whereas, formulation penetrated up to 30 um. Thus, combining these three, can not only increase the bioavailability of silymarin, but might also, increase the physiological action synergistically.

Effect of COVID-19 on Stress and Biomarkers: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Anxiety and stress in COVID-19 lead to continual pro-inflammatory cytokine activity resulting in excessive inflammation. Levels of different bio indices of COVID-19 may predict clinical outcomes and the severity of COVID-19 disease and may correlate with anxiety and stress levels. Objectives To measure the level of anxiety in COVID-19 patients using the coronavirus anxiety scale (CAS) as an assessment of psychological stress. To measure the levels of blood biomarkers and biochemical and hematological markers of inflammation in COVID-19. To record and measure the indices of short-term HRV in COVID-19 patients to assess their physiological and psychological stress levels. To determine the relationship between anxiety scores, levels of laboratory indices (blood biomarkers), and HRV parameters across mild, moderate and severe cases of COVID-19. Material and method A total of 300 COVID-19 patients aged between 18 and 55 years were included. A questionnaire-based CAS was used to assess anxiety levels. Short-term HRV was recorded to measure stress. Blood biomarkers: Biochemical and hemato-cytological markers of inflammation were measured. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software version 20.0. Results Anxiety and stress increased with the severity of COVID-19. A positive correlation was detected between anxiety and serum ferritin, IL-6, MCV, and MCH levels, and a negative correlation between the corona anxiety score and RBC count. The increase in the severity of COVID-19 showed elevated levels of WBC count, neutrophil%, platelet count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, serum ferritin, D-dimer, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, interleukin-6, and lactate dehydrogenase, and decreased lymphocyte and monocyte percentages. The increase in the severity of COVID-19 decreased lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil counts. Conclusion The Corona Anxiety Scale and heart rate variability can be used as complementary tools to index COVID-19-related anxiety and stress. An association exists between immune dysregulation and heart rate variability, which can be used to predict the inflammatory response and prognosis of COVID-19.

Psychometric Measurement of Fertility-related Quality of Life across Gender in Primary Infertile Couples.

Background: Infertility is a crucial global public health issue that affects millions of people of reproductive age. Fertility-related stress can negatively impact infertile couples' quality of life (QoL). Aims: This study aimed to assess and compare the psychometric properties of fertility QoL between primary infertile couples' male and female partners. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study included 114 primary infertile couples visiting the Andrology Laboratory referred from the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department, AIIMS, Patna. Materials and Methods: Data were collected using the Fertility QoL (FertiQoL) tool, an internationally validated questionnaire to measure the reproductive QoL, demographic information and medical history. The FertiQoL questionnaire responses were recorded and analysed. Statistical Analyses Used: Statistical analyses used were performed using the SPSS 20.0 version. Descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Cronbach's alpha and Student's independent t-tests were used. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: In our study, the overall estimated Cronbach's α was 0.83, and males had a significantly better fertility-related QoL in all domains of the FertiQoL, such as emotional (P < 0.000), mind-body (P < 0.000), social (P < 0.004) and tolerability (P < 0.000), except relational and environmental domains, which were lower in them. However, between the groups, the relational domain was significant (0.000) and the environmental domain was non-significant (0.592). Overall, males had a significantly better total core score, total treatment score and overall total FertiQoL score, while females had lower scores. Conclusion: Amongst infertile couples, the reproductive QoL was poorer in females than in males. Our study suggests psychological counselling and mental support for females during infertility management.

Correction: Dhatwalia et al. Rubus ellipticus Sm. Fruit Extract Mediated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: A Green Approach for Dye Degradation and Biomedical Applications. Materials 2022, 15, 3470.

In the original publication [...].

Semen Quality in Males Suffering From COVID-19: A Pilot Study.

Background It is well known that some viral infections may affect male fertility. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can lead to multiorgan damage through the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptor, abundant in testicular tissue. However, little information is available regarding the shedding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in semen and its impact on spermatogenesis and fertility potential. We planned to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the semen of COVID-19 males and to study the effect of COVID-19 on semen quality and sperm DNA fragmentation index. Material and method Thirty COVID-19 male patients aged 19-45 registered to AIIMS Patna hospital participated in the survey between October 2020 and April 2021. We conducted a real-time reverse transcriptase test on all the semen samples. Detailed semen analysis, including the sperm DNA Fragmentation Index, was done at first sampling that is during COVID-19. After 74 days of the first sampling, we obtained the second sampling and repeated all the above tests. Results All semen samples collected in the first and second sampling tested with real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were negative for SARS-CoV-2. In the first sampling, semen volume, vitality, total motility, sperm concentration, total sperm count, % normal morphology, % cytoplasmic droplet, and fructose were significantly lower. In contrast, semen agglutination, % head defect, DNA Fragmentation Index, liquefaction time, semen viscosity, and leukocytes were increased. These findings were reversed at the second sampling but not to the optimum level. All these findings were statistically significant (p < 0.05 for all). Thus, COVID-19 negatively affects semen parameters, including sperm DNA fragmentation index. Conclusion Although we could not find SARS-CoV-2 in the semen, the semen quality remained poor until the second sampling. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics and sperm banking facilities should consider assessing the semen of COVID-19 males and exclude men with a positive history of SARS-CoV-2 until their semen quality returns to normal.

Mechanistic studies on polyphenol rich fractions of Kangra tea by HPTLC and NMR for their antioxidant activities.

Abstract: The antioxidant activity in tea is largely driven by its polyphenolic content, however, the antioxidant reaction mechanism and the compounds involved are not well characterized. Therefore, in this study, we performed in-depth profiling of the antioxidant reaction mechanism of Green Tea (GT), Black Tea (BT), and their polyphenolic fractions with free radical using state-of-the-art analytical techniques. The polyphenol enriched fractions from GT and BT were isolated using column chromatography. Catechins were isolated and characterized by diverse spectroscopic techniques. Samples were screened for their antioxidant activity by HPTLC and further evaluated using a spectrophotometer. The free radical reactions with GT, BT, enriched fractions viz, GT Polyphenols (GTP), BT Polyphenols (BTP), and isolated catechins were studied using the 13C NMR technique. The highest polyphenol content was found in GTP (795.4 ± 0.012 mg/g) whereas GT (321.0 ± 0.028 mg/g) showed maximum flavonoids content. Individual catechins isolated from GTP were EGCG, ECG, EGC, EC and C. Antioxidant activity followed the order EGCG > ECG > EGC > EC > GTP > C > BTP > GT > BT. In GT, the antioxidant reaction mechanism showed single electron and H-transfer in all catechins, which involved the transformation of the hydroxyl group to the carbonyl group. Whereas in BT theaflavins, conversion of the benzotropolone ring to the six-membered ring was observed. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-021-05297-w.

Rubus ellipticus Sm. Fruit Extract Mediated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: A Green Approach for Dye Degradation and Biomedical Applications.

Rubus ellipticus fruits aqueous extract derived ZnO-nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized through a green synthesis method. The structural, optical, and morphological properties of ZnO-NPs were investigated using XRD, FTIR, UV-vis spectrophotometer, XPS, FESEM, and TEM. The Rietveld refinement confirmed the phase purity of ZnO-NPs with hexagonal wurtzite crystalline structure and p-63-mc space group with an average crystallite size of 20 nm. XPS revealed the presence of an oxygen chemisorbed species on the surface of ZnO-NPs. In addition, the nanoparticles exhibited significant in vitro antioxidant activity due to the attachment of the hydroxyl group of the phenols on the surface of the nanoparticles. Among all microbial strains, nanoparticles' maximum antibacterial and antifungal activity in terms of MIC was observed against Bacillus subtilis (31.2 µg/mL) and Rosellinia necatrix (15.62 µg/mL), respectively. The anticancer activity revealed 52.41% of A549 cells death (IC50: 158.1 ± 1.14 µg/mL) at 200 µg/mL concentration of nanoparticles, whereas photocatalytic activity showed about 17.5% degradation of the methylene blue within 60 min, with a final dye degradation efficiency of 72.7%. All these results suggest the medicinal potential of the synthesized ZnO-NPs and therefore can be recommended for use in wastewater treatment and medicinal purposes by pharmacological industries.

Role of Dantabija, Haridra, and Zingiber (DHZ) combination to restore health and immunity in mild to moderate COVID-19 patients.

Background: COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused various clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic, minor flu-like symptoms to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pneumonia, and even death. Early restriction of viruses is of utmost importance in controlling the spread of COVID-19. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of a common herbal extract combination of pomegranate (dantabija), turmeric (haridra), and zinger (DHZ) in mild to moderate covid cases. Methods: A hundred covid-positive subjects of mild to moderate severity have been randomized to control and study groups. The study population has been given the fixed-dose combination of DHZ as an adjuvant to standard treatment. Data have been analyzed using standard statistical tools. Finding: DHZ as an adjuvant helped in turning 83.33% of patients negative in the home quarantine group whereas 40% of patients in the hospitalized group turned negative with the addition of DHZ in the standard management. The percent negativity was lower in patients who received only standard management. Out of all patients, who did not receive DHZ, only 38% of patients in home quarantine and 32% in hospitalized patients became negative for COVID-19. Patients who received DHZ also showed improvement in blood pressure levels, oxygen levels as well as improvement in all symptoms associated with COVID-19 infections. Interpretation: DHZ has shown a promising effect in mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 as an adjuvant to the standard therapy. The study results indicated that the combination probably produces its effect by its immunomodulatory action.

Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Nutraceutical Profile of Carissa Species: An Updated Review.

Carissa, a genus of the Apocynaceae family, consists of evergreen species, such as shrubs as well as small trees that are native to Asia, Africa, and Oceania's subtropical and tropical regions. Most of the Carissa species are traditionally used to treat various diseases, such as chest pain, headaches, gonorrhoea, rheumatism, syphilis, oedema, rabies, stomach pain, hepatitis, cardiac diseases, and asthma. The pharmacological studies on Carissa species revealed its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, cardioprotective, antipyretic, analgesic, wound healing, anticonvulsant, antiarthritic, adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities, thus validating its use in indigenous medicine systems. The review article summarised the comprehensive literature available, including morphology, indigenous uses, bioactive composition, nutraceutical, and pharmacological activities of Carissa species. A total of 155 research papers were cited in this review article. The Carissa fruits are rich in dietary fibre, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamin C, and macro- and micro-elements. A total of 121 compounds (35 polyphenols (flavonoids and phenolic acids), 30 lignans, 41 terpenoids, 7 steroids, 2 coumarins, and 6 cardiac glycosides) have been extracted from C. spinarum, C. carandas, and C. macrocarpa. Among all chemical constituents, lupeol, carissol, naringin, carisssone, scopoletin, carissaeduloside A, D, J, carandinol, sarhamnoloside, carissanol, olivil, carinol, 3ß-hydroxyolean-11-en-28,13ß-oilde, ursolic acid, and carissone are the key bioactive constituents responsible for pharmacological activities of genus Carissa. The gathered ethnopharmacological information in the review will help to understand the therapeutic relevance of Carissa as well as paving a way for further exploration in the discovery of novel plant-based drugs.