Vitamin B12 alleviates malathion-induced toxicity in zebra fish by regulating cytochrome P450 and PgP expressions.

The indiscriminate and rampant use of pesticides has raised serious concerns regarding their toxic impact on non-target organisms which underlines need for the development of an effective antidote. Metabolic activation of organophosphate pesticides by the phase I enzyme, cytochrome P450 plays a key role in influencing pesticide-toxicity. In this study, we have investigated the effect of environmentally relevant malathion concentration (100 µg/L) alone and in combination with vitamin B12 on the expression of genes related to xenobiotic metabolism such as CYP enzymes, PgP and the key oxidative stress responsive transcription factor, Nrf2 in zebra fish liver and brain. Expressions of Nrf2-trasncribed antioxidant genes and their activities were also measured. Administration of vitamin B12 successfully revived motor functions by modulation of AchE activity. Mechanistically, vitamin B12 was demonstrated to alleviate oxidative stress which was accompanied by decreased phase-I enzyme cyp3c1 and increased pgp expressions.

Application of conventional metallic nanoparticles on male reproductive system - challenges and countermeasures.

The application of nanotechnology in the present era has substantial impact on different industrial and medical fields. However, the advancement in nanotechnology for potential therapeutic and consumer benefits has been an anxious cause regarding the probable hazardous consequences of these molecules in biological systems and the environment. The toxic effects can perturb the physiologic system broadly and reproductive function and fertility specifically. Despite engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) having a wide range of applications, toxicological investigations of the probable ramifications of ENMs on the reproductive systems of mammals and fertility remains in its nascence. Complication in the male reproductive system is quite a pertinent issue in today's world which comprises of benign prostatic enlargement, prostate cancer, and unhealthy sperm production. The therapeutic drugs should not only be active in minimum dose but also site-specific in action, criteria being met by nanomedicines. Nanomedicine therapy is promising but encompasses the chances of adverse effects of being cytotoxic and generating oxidative stress. These hurdles can be overcome by creating coated nanoparticles with organic substances, modification of shape and size, and synthesizing biocompatible green nanoparticles. This review attempts to look into the applications of most widely used metals like zinc, titanium, silver, and gold nanoparticles in the therapy of the male reproductive system, their prospective harmful effects, and the way out to create a safe therapeutic system by specific modifications of these metal and metal oxide nanoparticles.

Investigating In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Tumor Activity of Curvularia-Based Platinum Nanoparticles.

The use of platinum (Pt)-based anticancer drugs, although widespread in clinical practice, is severely limited due to toxic side-effects. One of the strategies for making Pt-based chemotherapy more effective is the synthesis and use of Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs). However, increasing evidence suggestD that nanoplatinum also pose potential risk to human health. This study examined the toxicity and anticancer activity of mycosynthesized PtNPs against sarcoma-180 (S-180) cells in vitro and in vivo. Curvularia affinis Boedijn, a phyto-pathogenic fungi isolated from rice, was used to synthesize PtNPs (named as CaPtNP). Well dispersed, mostly spherical CaPtNPs, with sizes ranging from 3-9 nm were characterized by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. Two concentrations of the CaPtNPs (2.31 and 4.63 ng/mL) were selected based on in vitro cytotoxicity assay on erythrocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The selected doses were found to induce significant in vitro and in vivo anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activity in S-180 cells. Elevated levels of pro-apoptotic markers (p53, Bax/Bcl2 ratio, Cyt c, caspase-3, cleaved PARP) and reduced BrdU incorporation validated the anticancer activity of CaPtNPs. The antitumor activity was further confirmed in S-180 transplanted tumor bearing mice. Moreover, examination of the impact of sub-chronic exposure (three months) of CaPtNPs on the ultra-structural features of renal and hepatic tissue by TEM revealed no significant toxicological manifestation in these organs. The CaPtNPs were also found to reduce oxidative stress and improve liver function in tumor bearing mice compared with untreated controls. Thus, this green CaPtNPs was well tolerated in mice and displayed significant antitumor property.

Dietary Determinants of Renal Calculi: A Case-Control Study From a Tertiary Care Hospital of Western Rajasthan.

Introduction Nephrolithiasis affects all countries of the world with an approximate global lifetime prevalence of 15-20%. In India, 12% of the total population is anticipated to have renal stone disease. This study was aimed at providing a relationship between various dietary factors in the formation of renal stones. Methods A case-control study was conducted among 207 patients (106 cases and 101 controls) attending the outpatient and inpatient departments of a tertiary care hospital in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. All the participants with confirmed renal stones by means of ultrasound and radiographic evaluation, aged 15-65 years were included as cases and were matched on age and gender with controls. Pearson chi-square test followed by binary logistic regression was used to assess significant associations. Results Out of all participants, 71.0% were males and 65.7% were from the age group 41-65 years. The study showed a statistically significant association between renal stones and high salt intake, reduced water intake, less consumption of milk and milk products, daily intake of tea, consumption of oxalate-rich foods and consumption of junk foods. Conclusion Dietary factors play an important role in the risk of the development of renal stones. Simple dietary modifications may significantly reduce the chances of the development of nephrolithiasis, especially in the vulnerable population.

Efficacy of phytochemicals as immunomodulators in managing COVID-19: a comprehensive view.

Throughout history, disease outbreaks have worked havoc upon humanity, sometimes reorienting the history and at times, signaling the end of entire civilizations and the modern pandemic that the world is dealing with, is COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2. A healthy immunity could be an ideal gear for resisting COVID-19 for neither medicines nor vaccines have been ascertained till date. In view of the present scenario, there is a demanding necessity to analyze innovative and valid techniques for forestalling and cure of COVID-19 by re-evaluating the structure of the natural compounds for drug designing. The Ayurveda has come forward by prescribing a lot of medicinal herbs for combating this dreaded disease. We have searched from sources in Pubmed and Google Scholar and found 1509 items. The search criteria were limited to the effect of phytochemicals in certain immunomodulatory aspects of viral infection. The original research papers related to the works on phytochemicals in the down regulation of NF-kB, activation of NK and CD8+ cells, inhibition of inflammatory cytokine release and ROS scavenging were included in our study. Here, we try to focus on the immunoregulatory cells which have a vital aspect in COVID-19 and highlight the potential effects of the restorative use of phytochemicals as drugs or dietary supplements. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13337-021-00706-2.

Role Overload, Role Self Distance, Role Stagnation as Determinants of Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intention in Banking Sector.

PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship of the organizational role stress: Role overload, role self-distance, and role stagnation with job satisfaction and turnover intention with a sample of banking employees in India. METHODOLOGY: In this research, we used the RODS scale developed by Prohit and Pareek (2010) for measuring occupational role scale. The reliability of the scale came out to be 0.71. FINDINGS: The majority of employees of all ranks, in both private and public sector banks, suffer from high role stress of all types. It was found that role overload and role stagnation are inversely associated with banking employees' job satisfaction. Private sector bank employees have more role stress and more unsatisfied than employees of public sector banks. Employees Turnover intention was found to be positively impacted by job satisfaction, contrary to many other studies. Possible reasons have been suggested. Job satisfaction was found to play a partial mediating role in the relationship between role overload and turnover intention with 40% mediation. Further, employees with longer tenure (work experience) have less role stress and are more satisfied. ORIGINALITY: This study is unique in the sense there is hardly any study linking role stress to job satisfaction and turnover intention, specially in Indian context.