Evolving Advances in the Applications of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) for Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic condition causing joint pain and inflammation that has now spurred the interest in nanotechnology-based drug delivery for more effective treatment, and in this regard, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are being explored for their potential to deliver the drugs steadily to manage the RA. Many investigators have been investigating both single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) as well as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) for managing arthritis via targeted drug delivery. Moreover, functionalized CNTs show promise in delivering the drugs precisely and in a controlled manner, thereby minimizing toxicity. However, research on applications of CNTs as drug carriers for RA remains limited, thus necessitating further exploration to address the various challenges. In this present piece of writing, challenges in RA treatment and the advances in applications of CNTs for RA management are reported, consequently reflecting the CNTs as advanced drug delivery vehicles for arthritis treatment.

Hotspots in PTPN11 Gene Among Indian Children With Noonan Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To test for PTPN11 mutations in clinically diagnosed cases of Noonan syndrome.

METHODS

17 individuals with clinical diagnosis of Noonan syndrome were included in the study. Sanger sequencing of all the 15 exons of PTPN11 was done. A genotype-phenotype correlation was attempted.

RESULTS

Mutation in PTPN11 was detected in 11 out of 17 (64.7%) patients with Noonan syndrome; 72% had mutation in exon 3 and 27 % had mutation in exon 13.

CONCLUSION

PTPN11 mutation accounts for 64.7% of cases with clinical features of Noonan syndrome in India. Majority of the mutations are in exon 3 and exon 13 of PTPN11, making them the hotspots in Indian population.

GALNS mutations in Indian patients with mucopolysaccharidosis IVA

Mucopolysaccharidosis IV A (Morquio syndrome A, MPS IVA) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by the deficiency of N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS). The mutation spectrum in this condition is yet to be determined in Indians. We aimed to analyze the mutations in the GALNS gene in Asian Indians with MPS IVA. All the exons and the adjacent intronic regions of the gene were amplified and sequenced in sixty-eight unrelated Indian families. We identified 136 mutant alleles comprising of 40 different mutations. We report twenty-two novel mutations that comprise of seventeen missense (p.Asn32Thr, p.Leu36Arg, p.Pro52Leu, p.Pro77Ser, p.Cys79Arg, p.His142Pro, p.Tyr191Asp, p.Asn204Thr, p.Gly188Ser, p.Phe216Ser, p.Trp230Cys, p.Ala291Ser, p.Gly317Arg, p.His329Pro, p.Arg386Ser, p.Glu450Gly, p.Cys501Ser), three splice-site variants (c.120+1G>C, c.1003-3C>G, c.1139+1G>A), one nonsense mutation (p.Gln414*) and one frameshift mutation (p.Pro420Leufs*440). Eighteen mutations have been reported earlier. Among these p.Ser287Leu (8.82%), p.Phe216Ser (7.35%), p.Asn32Thr (6.61%) and p.Ala291Ser (5.88%) were the most frequent mutations in Indian patients but were rare in the mutational profiles reported in other populations. These results indicate that the Indian patients may have a distinct mutation spectrum compared to those of other populations. Mutant alleles in exon 1, 7 and 8 accounted for 44.8% of the mutations, and sequencing of these exons initially may be a cost-effective approach in Asian Indian patients. This is the largest study on molecular analysis of patients with MPS IVA reported in the literature, and the first report from India.

Microduplications encompassing the Sonic hedgehog limb enhancer ZRS are associated with Haas-type polysyndactyly and Laurin-Sandrow syndrome

Laurin-Sandrow syndrome (LSS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by polysyndactyly of hands and/or feet, mirror image duplication of the feet, nasal defects, and loss of identity between fibula and tibia. The genetic basis of LSS is currently unknown. LSS shows phenotypic overlap with Haas-type polysyndactyly (HTS) regarding the digital phenotype. Here we report on five unrelated families with overlapping microduplications encompassing the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) limb enhancer ZPA regulatory sequence (ZRS) on chromosome 7q36. Clinically, the patients show polysyndactyly phenotypes and various types of lower limb malformations ranging from syndactyly to mirror image polydactyly with duplications of the fibulae. We show that larger duplications of the ZRS region (>80 kb) are associated with HTS, whereas smaller duplications (<80 kb) result in the LSS phenotype. On the basis of our data, the latter can be clearly distinguished from HTS by the presence of mirror image polysyndactyly of the feet with duplication of the fibula. Our results expand the clinical phenotype of the ZRS-associated syndromes and suggest that smaller duplications (<80 kb) are associated with a more severe phenotype. In addition, we show that these small microduplications within the ZRS region are the underlying genetic cause of Laurin-Sandrow syndrome.

Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of 5-phenylthio-2,4-bisbenzyloxypyrimidine: a novel nucleobase

A pyrimidne nucleobase, 5-phenylthio-2,4-bisbenzyloxypyrimidine and its analogs were synthesized and scanned for in vitro antifungal activity using cup-plate and macrobroth dilution method against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergllus fumigatus. In the cup-plate method, 5-phenylthio-2,4-bisbenzyloxypyrimidine showed very good antifungal activity compared to clotrimazole at the concentrations of 100 and 1000 μg/ml and in the macrobroth dilution method, it showed comparable activity with respect to standard drugs fluconazole and itraconaole. In vivo antifungal activity of 5-phenylthio-2,4-bisbenzyloxypyrimidine at the dose levels of 10 and 30 mg/kg was carried by causing systemic infection of mice using the same fungi used in in vitro testing. The results from in vivo studies with 5-phenylthio-2,4-bisbenzyloxypyrimidine and fluconazole indicated that 5-phenylthio-2,4-bisbenzyloxypyrimidine had similar potency as fluconazole at both dose levels.

Scavenging of Ni(II) metal ions by adsorption on PAC and babhul bark

The removal of toxic nickel metal ions by adsorption, using powder activated charcoal (PAC) and non-conventional adsorbent modified Indian powder babhul bark (PBB), was studied at room temperature. The adsorption isotherms were obtained in a batch reactor. It is observed that, the process of uptake followed first-order adsorption rate expression and obeyed Langmuir and Freundlich models of adsorption. Effects of variations in parameters such as pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, initial Ni(II) concentration and particle size were also studied.

Urorectal septum malformation sequence: ultrasound correlation with fetal examination

OBJECTIVES

To correlate prenatal and postnatal findings of urorectal septum malformation sequence and to study spectrum of malformation.

METHODS

Nine cases were reviewed with features suggestive of urorectal septum malformation (URSM) sequence. Associated anomalies were studied. Sex of the fetus was assigned by karyotype when available or by examination of internal genitalia.

RESULTS

Out of nine cases 5 fetuses were male and 4 were female. Gestational age ranged from 14 to 34 weeks. Six cases were complete URSM sequence and 3 were partial URSM sequence. Associated anomalies of other systems were seen in 4 cases. In one case karyotype was 47, XXY.

CONCLUSION

Cases with severe oligohydromnios with or without distended bladder, URSM sequence should be suspected, as this condition is usually lethal. Non-visualization of bladder, presence of hydronephrosis, multicystic kidneys or distended gut loops suggests the possibility of URSM sequence. The confirmation of diagnosis is possible after autopsy. Associated malformation of other organs and deformation due to oligohydromnios are commonly present.

Angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphism in Indian children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome

CONTEXT

Nephrotic syndrome is one of the commonest renal problem encountered in children. It is difficult to predict at onset, the clinical course in terms of steroid responsiveness or resistance. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism has been studied as a predictor of clinical course in common multi-factorial diseases including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. There is no study available from our country till date to find out any correlation of the steroid response in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and ACE gene polymorphism.

AIM

To study distribution and correlation of ACE gene I/D polymorphism in idiopathic steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome.

SETTINGS & DESIGN

Case-control retrospective study.

SUBJECTS & METHODS

We studied ACE gene polymorphism in 90 consecutive patients (82% males, 18% females) with steroid sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and 300 normal controls (NC).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test (for cases with insufficient expected cell frequencies).

RESULTS

The mean age of onset was 5.3 +/- 4 years. Steroid sensitive (SS) patients showed II (SS-48%, NC-26%) genotype was more frequent than normal controls (p=0.002). There was no significant difference in genotype frequencies among steroid SS subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study II genotype was more frequent in steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome children in comparison to normal controls. Further functional studies with large number of children are required to investigate the role of II genotype in steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome. Comparison of the genotypic frequency with steroid resistant patients may provide information, which might be useful in clinical practice.

Angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphism in Indian children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome

CONTEXT

Nephrotic syndrome is one of the commonest renal problem encountered in children. It is difficult to predict at onset, the clinical course in terms of steroid responsiveness or resistance. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism has been studied as a predictor of clinical course in common multi-factorial diseases including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. There is no study available from our country till date to find out any correlation of the steroid response in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and ACE gene polymorphism.

AIM

To study distribution and correlation of ACE gene I/D polymorphism in idiopathic steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome.

SETTINGS & DESIGN

Case-control retrospective study.

SUBJECTS & METHODS

We studied ACE gene polymorphism in 90 consecutive patients (82% males, 18% females) with steroid sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and 300 normal controls (NC).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test (for cases with insufficient expected cell frequencies).

RESULTS

The mean age of onset was 5.3 +/- 4 years. Steroid sensitive (SS) patients showed II (SS-48%, NC-26%) genotype was more frequent than normal controls (p=0.002). There was no significant difference in genotype frequencies among steroid SS subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study II genotype was more frequent in steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome children in comparison to normal controls. Further functional studies with large number of children are required to investigate the role of II genotype in steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome. Comparison of the genotypic frequency with steroid resistant patients may provide information, which might be useful in clinical practice.

Genetic counseling: the impact in Indian milieu

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of genetic counseling in Indian milieu.

METHODS

A study of 83 Indian consultants who were provided genetic counseling was carried out to understand their expectations, satisfaction with genetic counseling and its effects on reproductive decision.

RESULTS

Most of the families were referred for the diagnosis and the treatment of the disorder in the proband. The consultants understood the medical facts about risk of recurrence and were satisfied with genetic counseling. There was no change in reproductive plan after genetic counseling in most of the cases.

CONCLUSION

The reproductive decision was mainly correlating with the presence or absence of normal live children in the family and availability of prenatal diagnosis.

Partial trisomy 13 with features similar to C syndrome

We report a case of partial trisomy 13 with trigonocephaly, upslant eyes, long smooth philtrum, polydactyly, agenesis of right kidney and mild developmental delay. In this family phenotypically normal mother had pericentric inversion of chromosome 13 and the child (proband) received recombinant 13 from the mother. Genetic counselling of the family for reproductive risks and testing siblings of the mother for detection of balanced carriers is essential.

Influence of legume blends on fried papad quality

Legumes and their blends are widely used for the production of papads. Papads with low fat content would be a boon to populations looking for low-calorie foods with retention of organoleptic profile. Judicious blending of legumes such as black gram, green gram, bengal gram, red gram and cowpea revealed that low-fat fried papads could be prepared from a blend of 40:36:24 blend of bengal gram:black gram:green gram flours. The blend had 15.6% lower fat content as compared to the control prepared from black gram flour alone. Other quality parameters such as expansion ratio, texture in terms of crispness, colour and overall organoleptic quality were also evaluated.