SarCTAB: an efficient and cost-effective DNA isolation protocol from geophytes.

Geophytes are herbaceous plants that grow anew from underground buds and are excellent models to study storage organ formation. However, molecular studies involving geophytes are constrained due to the presence of a wide spectrum of polysaccharides and polyphenols that contaminate the genomic DNA. At present, several protocols exist for the extraction of genomic DNA from different plant species; however, isolating high-quality DNA from geophytes is challenging. Such challenges are further complexed by longer incubation time and multiple precipitation steps involved in existing DNA isolation methods. To overcome such problems, we aimed to establish a DNA extraction method (SarCTAB) which is an economical, quick, and sustainable way of DNA isolation from geophytes. We improved the traditional CTAB method by optimizing key ingredients such as sarcosine, ß-mercaptoethanol, and high molar concentration of sodium chloride (NaCl), which resulted in high concentration and good-quality DNA with lesser polysaccharides, proteins, and polyphenols. This method was evaluated to extract DNA from storage organs of six different geophytes. The SarCTAB method provides an average yield of 1755 ng/µl of high-quality DNA from 100 mg of underground storage tissues with an average standard purity of 1.86 (260/280) and 1.42 (260/230). The isolated genomic DNA performed well with Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) amplification, restriction digestion with EcoRI, and PCR amplification of plant barcode genes viz. matK and rbcL. Also, the cost involved in DNA isolation was low when compared to that with commercially available kits. Overall, SarCTAB method works effectively to isolate high-quality genomic DNA in a cost-effective manner from the underground storage tissues of geophytes, and can be applied for next-generation sequencing, DNA barcoding, and whole genome bisulfite sequencing.

Breast Cancer Management in the Era of Covid-19; Key Issues, Contemporary Strategies, and Future Implications.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several priority diseases were not getting sufficient attention. Whilst breast cancer is a fatal disease affecting millions worldwide, identification and management of these patients did not initially attract critical attention to minimize the impact of lockdown, post-lockdown, and other measures. Breast cancer patients' conditions may not remain stable without proper care, worsening their prognosis. Proper care includes the timely instigation of surgery, systemic therapy, and psychological support. This includes low-and middle-income countries where there are already concerns with available personnel and medicines to adequately identify and treat these patients. Consequently, there was a need to summarize the current scenario regarding managing breast cancer care during COVID-19 across all countries, including any guidelines developed. We systematically searched three scientific databases and found 76 eligible articles covering the medical strategies of high-income countries versus LMICs. Typically, diagnostic facilities in hospitals were affected at the beginning of the pandemic following the lockdown and other measures. This resulted in more advanced-stage cancers being detected at initial presentation across countries, negatively impacting patient outcomes. Other than increased telemedicine, instigating neo-adjuvant endocrine therapy more often, reducing non-essential visits, and increasing the application of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy to meet the challenges, encouragingly, there was no other significant difference among patients in high-income versus LMICs. Numerous guidelines regarding patient management evolved during the pandemic to address the challenges posed by lockdowns and other measures, which were subsequently adopted by various high-income countries and LMICs to improve patient care. The psychological impact of COVID-19 and associated lockdown measures, especially during the peak of COVID-19 waves, and the subsequent effect on the patient's mental health must also be considered in this high-priority group. We will continue to monitor the situation to provide direction in future pandemics.

Is it time to reconsider prophylactic antimicrobial use for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation? a narrative review of antimicrobials in stem cell transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is a life-saving procedure for multiple types of hematological cancer, autoimmune diseases, and genetic-linked metabolic diseases in humans. Recipients of HSCT transplant are at high risk of microbial infections that significantly correlate with the presence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and the degree of immunosuppression. Infection in HSCT patients is a leading cause of life-threatening complications and mortality. AREAS COVERED: This review covers issues pertinent to infection in the HSCT patient, including bacterial and viral infection; strategies to reduce GVHD; infection patterns; resistance and treatment options; adverse drug reactions to antimicrobials, problems of antimicrobial resistance; perturbation of the microbiome; the role of prebiotics, probiotics, and antimicrobial peptides. We highlight potential strategies to minimize the use of antimicrobials. EXPERT OPINION: Measures to control infection and its transmission remain significant HSCT management policy and planning issues. Transplant centers need to consider carefully prophylactic use of antimicrobials for neutropenic patients. The judicious use of appropriate antimicrobials remains a crucial part of the treatment protocol. However, antimicrobials' adverse effects cause microbiome diversity and dysbiosis and have been shown to increase morbidity and mortality.

The Double Burden of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Polypharmacy on Geriatric Population - Public Health Implications.

COVID-19 pandemic is inducing acute respiratory distress syndrome, multi-organ failure, and eventual death. Respiratory failure is the leading cause of mortality in the elderly population with pre-existing medical conditions. This group is particularly vulnerable to infections due to a declined immune system, comorbidities, geriatric syndrome, and potentially inappropriate polypharmacy. These conditions make the elderly population more susceptible to the harmful effects of medications and the deleterious consequences of infections, including MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. Chronic diseases among elderlies, including respiratory diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart diseases, present a significant challenge for healthcare professionals. To comply with the clinical guidelines, the practitioner may prescribe a complex medication regimen that adds up to the burden of pre-existing treatment, potentially inducing adverse drug reactions and leading to harmful side-effects. Consequently, the geriatric population is at increased risk of falls, frailty, and dependence that enhances their susceptibility to morbidity and mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 respiratory syndrome, particularly interstitial pneumonia. The major challenge resides in the detection of infection that may present as atypical manifestations in this age group. Healthy aging can be possible with adequate preventive measures and appropriate medication regimen and follow-up. Adherence to the guidelines and recommendations of WHO, CDC, and other national/regional/international agencies can reduce the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Better training programs are needed to enhance the skill of health care professionals and patient's caregivers. This review explains the public health implications associated with polypharmacy on the geriatric population with pre-existing co-morbidities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effect of processing on barley ß-glucan content, its molecular weight and extractability.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important cereal crop and ranks fourth among the total cereals production but very little of this grain is used as human food. However, these days it is gaining popularity as "functional grain" because it contains higher amounts of bioactive compounds including ß-glucan (4-11%) and phytochemicals. The health benefits of barley ß-glucan and other bioactive compounds have been well documented. ß-Glucan is the most unique polysaccharide of barley which is associated with numerous health benefits including reduction of cholesterol, manage post postprandial blood glucose levels and acts as an anti-cancerous agent. Since food grains including barley are consumed after processing and it may alter the solubility, molecular weight and extractability of ß-glucan affecting the health benefits. Therefore, it is important to know the processing effects on ß-glucan to confirm such health claims for barley. Most of the review papers published are focused on the health benefits of ß-glucan. To the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive report is available on the effects of barley processing on ß-glucan content, molecular weight and ß-glucan extractability. The present article reviews the literature on processing effects on barley ß-glucan.

Bioactive compounds of beetroot and utilization in food processing industry: A critical review.

Beetroot is recognized as health promoting food due to presence of essential components such as vitamins, minerals, phenolics, carotenoids, nitrate, ascorbic acids and betalains that promote health. Betalains occur in two forms i.e. betacyanin (red-violet pigment) and betaxanthin (yellow-orange pigment) and are recognizable commercially as a food dye due to non-precarious, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and non-poisonous nature. Beetroot is premeditated as a boon for the food industry and used as food colorant or additive in food products such as ice-cream, yogurts and other products. The beetroot extract is used to improve the redness in tomato pastes, soups, sauces, desserts, jams, jellies, sweets and breakfast cereals. Overall objective of this review is to provide a brief knowledge about the valuable phytochemicals and bioactive compounds present in beetroot and their association with health benefits, beetroot processing for food application and their effect on beetroot pigment.

Bioactive compounds and pharmacological and food applications of Syzygium cumini - a review.

The present review explores the nutritional, phytochemical and pharmacological potential as well as diverse food usages of Syzygium cumini. S. cumini is a traditional medicinal plant with various bioactive compounds distributed in all parts of the plant. The major bioactive compounds present in the edible part are myricetin, oxalic acid, gallic acid, citronellol, cyanidin diglucoside, hotrienol, phytosterols, flavonoids, carotenoids and polyphenols as well as micronutrients, accounting for numerous health benefits. The potential benefits of these bioactive compounds are to prevent/reduce metabolic abnormalities and various diseases. The health protective effects and functional properties of the plant were proved by different in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies. All parts of the plant have good health benefits like hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antianemic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiallergic, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic and antipyretic properties. The fruit of S. cumini can be consumed raw or processed in the form of jam, jellies, wine, fermented beverages and many other value added food products.

Effect of roasting on physicochemical, functional and antioxidant properties of arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia L.) flour.

Arrowhead tubers with protein, lipid and ash content of 4.60%, 2.27% and 6.15%, respectively were subjected to pan and microwave roasting, converted to flour and studied for physicochemical, functional and antioxidant properties. The lightness 'L' of flour decreased significantly (p⩽0.05) from 83.01 to 72.21 while significant increase in 'a' and 'b' color values was observed from -0.27 to 2.49 and 15.49 to 25.35 on roasting. Light transmittance decreased significantly upon roasting and the lowest value (0.80) was showed by pan roasted sample. Significant decrease in pasting properties like peak (963.0-147.7 cP), setback (172.0-97.67 cP) and final viscosity (861.67-202.66 cP) was also recorded on roasting. However, roasting led to increase in pasting temperature from 78.53 to 95.23°C. The water (1.49-2.03 g/g) and oil (1.65-1.85 g/g) absorption capacity increased, while significant decrease was observed in foaming and emulsion properties upon roasting. The total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and reducing power enhanced upon pan and microwave roasting from 1.02 to 2.42 mg/g (GAE); 44.30% to 46.61%; 74.59% to 76.23%, respectively. Thermal parameters like onset temperature (To) and ΔH decreased while peak temperature (Tp) increased on roasting.

An Epigenetic Pathway Regulates Sensitivity of Breast Cancer Cells to HER2 Inhibition via FOXO/c-Myc Axis.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is upregulated in a subset of human breast cancers. However, the cancer cells often quickly develop an adaptive response to HER2 kinase inhibitors. We found that an epigenetic pathway involving MLL2 is crucial for growth of HER2(+) cells and MLL2 reduces sensitivity of the cancer cells to a HER2 inhibitor, lapatinib. Lapatinib-induced FOXO transcription factors, normally tumor-suppressing, paradoxically upregulate c-Myc epigenetically in concert with a cascade of MLL2-associating epigenetic regulators to dampen sensitivity of the cancer cells to lapatinib. An epigenetic inhibitor suppressing c-Myc synergizes with lapatinib to suppress cancer growth in vivo, partly by repressing the FOXO/c-Myc axis, unraveling an epigenetically regulated FOXO/c-Myc axis as a potential target to improve therapy.

Effect of incorporating hydrothermal, kilned and defatted oats on antioxidant and chapatti making properties of wheat flour.

Oats were subjected to treatments like defatting, hydrothermal cooking and kilning, milled into flour and then the control and treated flours were incorporated into wheat flour at 25% and 50% levels and chapatti making behaviour and antioxidant properties were studied. The treatments significantly affected the antioxidant properties of oats. Incorporating oat flours to wheat increased total phenolic content but lowered the antioxidant activity however both were decreased significantly upon baking. The reducing power of the oat blended flour was higher than the wheat flours and ranged from 8.0 to 15.5 µmol AAE/g and was further increased upon baking. The metal chelating activity of flour blends varied from 62.0% to 73.8% and further increased upon baking. After baking the total flavonoid content was lowered and ranged from 308 to 389 µg CE/g. The non-enzymatic browning index significantly increased up to 27.6% upon baking.