Circulating Chemerin Levels in Obese and Non-obese Individuals and Its Association With Obesity in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease.

Introduction The prevalence of obesity and related disorders is rapidly rising due to altered food habits, sedentary lifestyles and stress. Adipose tissue releases various hormones known as adipokines; one example is chemerin, which is primarily expressed by hepatocytes, adipocytes, and immune cells. Adipokine dysregulation in obesity initiates the cascade of inflammation and insulin resistance that leads to various metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome (MS), and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Aim The aim of our research is to determine serum chemerin levels in obese and non-obese individuals and to estimate the prevalence of MAFLD in obesity. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Tamil Nadu from August 2023 to December 2023. The study group comprised 45 obese and 45 non-obese individuals above 18 years of age. New MAFLD diagnostic criteria and FLI (Fatty Liver Index) formula were used to stratify the cohort. The Godin Leisure-Time Exercise questionnaire was used to assess physical activity levels. Visceral fat was assessed using a body composition analyzer. Student's t-test and ANOVA were used to compare the difference in mean levels across the groups. Pearson's correlation was used to correlate the analyzed parameters. Results Among our obese study participants, nearly 50% reported following a sedentary lifestyle. The prevalence of MAFLD in our obese study group was 44% whereas the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty disease was found to be only 33%. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c, triglycerides (TG) and chemerin levels were found to vary significantly between the two groups. However, our study did not reveal the association of chemerin with MAFLD, BMI, or visceral fat in obesity. A significant difference in BMI, and visceral fat was observed across groups stratified by their physical activity levels assessed using the Godin leisure questionnaire. Conclusion Our study highlights the effect of physical activity on adipose tissue distribution and metabolic health and does not reveal any significant association of chemerin with MAFLD, BMI, or visceral fat in obesity. Nearly half of the studied obese individuals lead sedentary lifestyles, which highlights the importance of promoting physical activity in the prevention of obesity and related metabolic dysfunction. To validate these findings, future research should involve larger, diverse cohorts and include longitudinal data to track shifts in chemerin levels over time and their impact on metabolic health.

Irisin and Triglyceride Glucose Index as Markers of Dyslipidemia in Young Adults.

Irisin, is a new myokine, considered a favorable metabolic factor and inversely associated with non-communicable diseases. The biological activities of irisin are currently unknown; however, they include browning white adipose tissue, insulin sensitivity, and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Triglyceride glucose index is a notable insulin resistance marker that predicts the risk of metabolic dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk. The study aimed to evaluate the relation of irisin and Triglyceride glucose index (TyG) in young adults to assess the cardiovascular risk. This observational cross-sectional study included 80 participants aged 18 to 35 years (male and females) with cut-off TyG > 4.5 as the prime criteria. With consent, anthropometric measurements were documented. Fasting lipid profile parameters were analyzed, and atherogenic lipid ratios and TyG index were calculated. Serum irisin was analyzed in Bio-Rad ELISA using a standardized Abbkine kit. Decreased irisin levels (0.32 ± 0.04ng/ml) and increased TyG index (4.95 ± 0.012) were observed in the participants with elevated triglyceride levels. The lipid profile parameters and atherogenic lipid ratios were observed to be elevated in males as compared to females. Correlation of irisin with lipid parameters revealed statistically significant positive correlation with HDLc (r = + 0.305) and negative correlation with non-HDLc (r = - 0.393), TC/HDLc (r = -0.508), LDLc/HDLc (r= -0.475) and TyG (r = -0.28). The study concludes that decreased irisin and increased TyG index in young adults reflect the state of metabolic dyslipidemia which enables the identification of individuals with metabolic and atherogenic risk.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Oral Health Disparities Among the Indigenous Paediatric Population.

There is a knowledge gap in the literature regarding oral health disparities (OHD) in minority and indigenous (IG) paediatric cohorts that needs to be addressed. Disparities in oral health among children are a pressing concern, highlighting inequities in access to dental care and meeting needs. The current systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the prevailing understanding of OHD in the minority and IG strata. A meticulous search strategy was formulated by a team of reviewers to identify pertinent studies from databases of PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar and EMBASE. Data extraction and article selection strictly adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was employed to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies included. Review Manager version 5.4 was used to synthesise quantitative data. A total of five cross-sectional studies were included in the final analysis. The findings consistently demonstrated the existence of racial and socioeconomic disparities in oral health across varying age groups and geographical locations in the defined population. Significant disparities in oral health outcomes were observed between IG and non-IG populations, with IG and minority groups exhibiting a heightened vulnerability to oral health challenges. Through a meta-analysis of the compiled data, a statistically significant association was established between children (being a member of a minority group) and unmet oral health needs. Socioeconomic status (SES) and maternal education were factors that showed a significant impact on oral health disparity. All studies were graded to be of the low-risk category based on the NOS risk of bias tool. This review successfully identified several influential factors contributing to oral health disparities, such as cultural practices, dietary patterns and access to oral healthcare services. Additionally, discernible differences in oral health status were evident between IG and non-IG children, with IG children enduring a greater burden of oral health difficulties. These findings underscore the imperative for targeted interventions and policy measures aimed at addressing the specific oral health needs of minority and IG paediatric populations, with the overarching goal of mitigating the existing disparities.

In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Azadirachta indica Aqueous Leaf Extract against MDR Pathogens.

Rice is the most important staple food crop feeding more than 50% of the world's population. Rice blast is the most devastating fungal disease, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae) which is widespread in rice growing fields causing a significant reduction in the yield. The present study was initiated to evaluate the effect of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the biochemical constituents of rice plants infected with blast. AgNPs were synthesized by using Azadirachta indica leaf extract and their characterization was performed using UV-visible spectroscopy, particle size analyser (PSA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) which confirmed the presence of crystalline, spherical shaped silver nanoparticles with an average size of 58.9 nm. After 45 days of sowing, artificial inoculation of rice blast disease was performed. After the onset of disease symptoms, the plants were treated with AgNPs with different concentrations. Application of nanoparticles elevated the activity of antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase compared to control plants, and total phenol and reducing sugars were also elevated. The outcome of this study showed that an increase in all biochemical constituents was recorded for A. indica silver nanoparticles-treated plants. The highest values were recorded in 30 ppm and 50 ppm AgNPs-treated plants, which showed the highest resistance towards the pathogen. Green synthesized AgNPs can be used in future for disease control in susceptible varieties of rice. The synthesized AgNPs using A. indica leaf extract have shown promising antibacterial activity when tested against 14 multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria comprising Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (n = 6) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 7) with a good zone of inhibition diameter, tested with the disc diffusion method. Based on these findings, it appears that A. indica AgNPs have promise as an antibacterial agent effective against MDR pathogens.

In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Mangifera indica Aqueous Leaf Extract against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens.

An estimated 35% of the world's population depends on wheat as their primary crop. One fifth of the world's wheat is utilized as animal feed, while more than two thirds are used for human consumption. Each year, 17-18% of the world's wheat is consumed by China and India. In wheat, spot blotch caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana is one of the major diseases which affects the wheat crop growth and yield in warmer and humid regions of the world. The present work was conducted to evaluate the effect of green synthesized silver nanoparticles on the biochemical constituents of wheat crops infected with spot blotch disease. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using Mangifera indica leaf extract and their characterization was performed using UV-visible spectroscopy, SEM, XRD, and PSA. Characterization techniques confirm the presence of crystalline, spherical silver nanoparticles with an average size of 52 nm. The effect of green synthesized nanoparticles on antioxidative enzymes, e.g., Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Reductase (GR), Peroxidase (POX), and phytochemical precursor enzyme Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase (PAL), and on primary and secondary metabolites, e.g., reducing sugar and total phenol, in Bipolaris sorokiniana infected wheat crop were studied. Inoculation of fungal spores was conducted after 40 days of sowing. Subsequently, diseased plants were treated with silver nanoparticles at different concentrations. Elevation in all biochemical constituents was recorded under silver nanoparticle application. The treatment with a concentration of nanoparticles at 50 pp min diseased plants showed the highest resistance towards the pathogen. The efficacy of the green synthesized AgNPs as antibacterial agents was evaluated against multi drug resistant (MDR) bacteria comprising Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (n = 6) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 7) and Gram-positive bacteria Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n = 2). The results show promising antibacterial activity with significant inhibition zones observed with the disc diffusion method, thus indicating green synthesized M. indica AgNPs as an active antibacterial agent against MDR pathogens.

P-channel thin film transistors using reduced graphene oxide.

Chemically reduced graphene oxide (rGO) samples with various degrees of reduction were prepared using hydrazine hydrate as the reducing agent. Scanning tunnelling microscope imaging shows that rGO contains rows of randomly distributed patches of epoxy groups. The local density of states of the rGO samples were mapped with scanning tunnelling spectroscopy, which shows that the bandgap in rGO originates from the epoxide regions itself. The Fermi level of the epoxide regions is shifted towards the valence band, making rGO locally p-type and a range of bandgaps from 0-2.2 eV was observed in these regions. Thin film transistors were fabricated using rGO as the channel layer. The devices show excellent output characteristics with clear saturation and gate dependence. The transfer characteristics show that rGO behaves as a p-type semiconductor; the devices exhibit an on/off ratio of 104, with a low-bias hole mobility of 3.9 cm2 V-1 s-1.

Antihyperlipidemic and antiatherogenic activities of Terminalia pallida Linn. fruits in high fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats.

Hyperlipidemia contributes significantly in the manifestation and development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD). Although synthetic lipid-lowering drugs are useful in treating hyperlipidemia, there are number of adverse effects. So the current interest has stimulated the search for new lipid-lowering agents with minimal side effects from natural sources. The present study was designed to investigate the antihyperlipidemic and antiatherogenic potentiality of ethanolic extract of Terminalia pallida fruits in high fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats. T. pallida fruits ethanolic extract (TPEt) was prepared using Soxhlet apparatus. Sprague-Dawley male rats were made hyperlipidemic by giving high fat diet, supplied by NIN (National Institute of Nutrition), Hyderabad, India. TPEt was administered in a dose of 100 mg/kg.b.w./day for 30 days in high fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats. The body weights, plasma lipid, and lipoprotein levels were measured before and after the treatment. TPEt showed significant antihyperlipidemic and antiatherogenic activities as evidenced by significant decrease in plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels coupled together with elevation of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and diminution of atherogenic index in high fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats. There was a significantly reduced body weight gain in TPEt-treated hyperlipidemic rats than in the control group. The present study demonstrates that TPEt possesses significant antihyperlipidemic and antiatherogenic properties, thus suggesting its beneficial effect in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Anti microbial activity of the various leaf extracts of Vitex negundo Linn.

The antibacterial activity of the leaves of Vitex negundo was tested against three types of bacteria Viz., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella Pneumoniae. The fresh, aqueous, heated aqueous extract, chloroform and methanolic extract of leaves were used for screening their antibacterial potential. The fresh and aqueous extracts of leaves in various dilutions were found to have antibacterial activity against the three bacteria.

Anti Microbial activity of the various leaf extracts of Vitex negundo Linn.

The antibacterial activity of the leaves of Vitex negundo was tested against three bacteria Viz., Staphylococcus aureus Escherichia coli and Klebsiella Peumoniae, The fresh aqueous, heated aqueous extract, chloroform and methanolic extract of leaves were used for screening their antibacterial potential. The fresh and aqueous extracts of leaves in various dilutions were found to have antibacterial activity against the three bacteria.

Effect ofVitex negundo leaf extract on the free radicals scavengers in complete Freund's adjuvant induced arthritic rats.

The effect of the oral administration ofVitex negundo leaf extract on the levels of enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants were studied in the adjuvant induced arthritic (AIA) rats The levels of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, GPx, G6PD, GSH and Vit-C were estimated in various groups of the experimental rats. It was observed that the antioxidant enzyme levels in the AIA were significantly low when compared to normal rats. A significant decrease in enzymic antioxidant-SOD, CAT, GPx, G6PD and non-enzymic antioxidant-GSH, Vit-C were observed in the liver of AIA rats compared to the normal rats. These results suggest that the leaf extract ofVitex negundo possesses antioxidant activity.