Insights into the emergence and evolution of monkeypox virus: Historical perspectives, epidemiology, genetic diversity, transmission, and preventative measures.

In 2022, just before the COVID-19 pandemic ended, many countries noticed a viral monkeypox outbreak. Monkeypox virus, a zoonotic pathogen, causes a febrile illness in humans and resembles smallpox. Prevention strategies encompass vaccination, strict infection control measures, and avoiding contact with infected persons. As monkeypox and related poxviruses continue to pose challenges, ongoing surveillance, early diagnosis, prompt isolation, and effective control measures are crucial for limiting transmission and mitigating the impact of outbreaks on public health. This review provides valuable insights into the evolution of the monkeypox virus and its various modes of transmission, including postmortem transmission, and offers an overall perspective on the guidelines issued by the Government of India to prevent and effectively control the spread of this disease.

Unraveling the Possibilities of Monoclonal Protein Migration, Identification, and Characterization in SPEP on Capillary Zone Electrophoresis.

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) is a method by which proteins present in serum are separated into different fractions based on their molecular weight and electric charge. Presence of M spike, composed of monoclonal protein, on electrophoretogram is a characteristic finding that can be seen in monoclonal gammopathies like multiple myeloma. M spike is most commonly seen in the gamma region however, the M-spike can be observed in fraction other than the Y fraction as well i.e. in the beta region and rarely alpha region. Here we have enumerated few cases where M protein has been seen in fractions other than the gamma region. Thus one needs to be cautious about the variable appearance of M-spike during interpretation of SPEP as some physiological proteins if elevated can also give rise to similar spike sometimes referred as pseudo monoclonal pattern.

Evaluation of promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor gene BRCA1 in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Context: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a serious gynecological issue worldwide and its late detection is the major encumbrance in treatment procedures. Hypermethylation-mediated BRCA1 gene silencing results in failure of the repair system of damaged DNA playing an important role in ovarian carcinogenesis. BRCA1 gene hypermethylation can serve as a safe and highly specific clinical marker for EOC. Aims: The present study was conducted to evaluate the promoter hypermethylation of BRCA1 gene in EOC patients. Settings and Design: This hospital-based case-control study carried out in the tertiary care hospital in New Delhi. Subjects and Methods: Promoter hypermethylation of BRCA1 gene was examined in 30 EOC diagnosed untreated cases confirmed by histopathological examinations and compared with 30 normal healthy controls matched for age using methylation specific-polymerase chain reaction. Results: We found significantly higher BRCA1 promoter hypermethylation in the serum of EOC cases as compared to controls with P < 0.0001. BRCA1 gene methylation was found to have 70% sensitivity for the diagnosis of EOC with 100% specificity. A significant difference was observed in the range of CA125 levels, B12 and Folate levels between EOC cases and controls. Conclusions: We conclude that BRCA1 gene is significantly hypermethylated in EOC patients and thus can prove to be a noninvasive diagnostic tool. Our results provide prefatory evidence that epithelial ovarian epigenome can be influenced by dietary nutrients.

Pattern of serum protein capillary electrophoretogram in SARS- CoV-2 infection.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Monoclonal/biclonalgammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS/BGUS) is observed in COVID-19. This study was conducted to determine the changes in serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) in COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive (cross-sectional) study, serum inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6 and ferritin) were measured and SPEP was carried out by capillary electrophoresis method in 35 controls and 30 moderate & 58 severe COVID-19 cases. RESULTS: Serum inflammatory markers were increased in COVID-19 cases with severity. M-band(s), ß-γ bridging and pre-albumin band(s) on SPEP were observed in 15.5, 11 & 12% of severe cases and 3, 4 & 0% moderate COVID-19 cases respectively. Area under curve (AUC) of α 1 and α 2 bands of SPEP increased significantly in severe COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that SPEP changes like the appearance of M-band(s) indicating MGUS(BGUS), ß- γ bridging indicating the presence of fast-moving immunoglobulins, pre-albumin band indicating the rise in serum transthyretin level and the increase in AUC of α 1 and α 2 bands indicating the rise in positive acute phase reactants occur in COVID-19. The occurrence and magnitude of these changes are higher in severe COVID-19 than that in moderate COVID-19. The diagnostic and prognostic significance of these SPEP changes are worth exploring.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Serum Cystatin C for Early Recognition of Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the major complications that develop over time in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This prospective study was conducted to assess the diagnostic accuracy of serum cystatin C in detecting diabetic nephropathy at earlier stages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was undertaken on 50 cases of T2DM and 50 healthy subjects as controls. Demographic and anthropometric data and blood and urine samples were collected. The concentration of serum cystatin C (index test) and traditional markers of diabetic nephropathy, serum creatinine, and urinary microalbumin (the reference standard) were estimated. Similarly, blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and urinary creatine were measured. RESULTS: The mean ± SD serum cystatin C was significantly higher in T2DM as compared to control (1.07 ± 0.38 and 0.86 ± 0.12 mg/dl, respectively, p < 0.001). The mean ± SD bodyweight, BMI, W : H ratio, pulse, SBP, and DBP were 66.4 ± 12.6 kg, 26.2 ± 5.6 kg/m2, 1.03 ± 0.09, 78 ± 7, 125 ± 16 mm of Hg, and 77 ± 9 mm of Hg, respectively, in cases. A significant difference in HDL cholesterol (p=0.018) and serum cystatin C (p < 0.001) was observed among different grades of nephropathy. Cystatin C had a significant positive correlation with age (r = 0.323, p=0.022), duration of T2DM (r = 0.326, p=0.021), and UACR (r = 0.528, p < 0.001) and a significant negative correlation with eGFR CKD-EPI cystatin C (r = -0.925, p < 0.001). The area under ROC curve for serum cystatin C (0.611, 95% CI: 0.450-0.772) was greater than for serum creatinine (0.429, 95% CI: 0.265-0.593) though nonsignificant. CONCLUSION: Serum cystatin C concentration increases with the progression of nephropathy and duration of diabetes in Nepalese T2DM patients suggesting cystatin C as a potential marker of renal impairment in T2DM patients.

Inherently colored antimicrobial fibers employing silver nanoparticles.

Here we are reporting a novel method of producing inherently colored antimicrobial fibers employing silver nanoparticles. Without using undesirable dyes and chemical finishes, colors as well as antimicrobial properties have been imparted in textile grade acrylic fibers through silver nanoparticles, in such a way that these properties become inherent part of the fibers. The motivation behind silver nanoparticles is their unique optical properties as well as biomedical applications. A composite solution of polyacrylonitrile copolymer containing silver nanoparticles, synthesized in-situ, was converted into fibers using solution spinning technique. The fibers, so formed, have in-built silver nanoparticles in size ranging from 20-120 nm. Colors ranging from red to blue could be prepared by varying the silver concentration, aggregate size and process. The antibacterial efficacy of the fiber was as high as 94.3% against Escherichia coli.