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Efficacy of LMS for teaching biochemistry to medical students in India during the CoVid-19 pandemic

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Efficacy of LMS for teaching biochemistry to medical students in India during the CoVid-19 pandemic Authors: Shashidhar., K N; Harish, R.; Munilakshmi, U Abstract: During the pandemic, medical education shifted to online platforms, using the Learning Management System (LMS) for lectures, video recordings, e-resources, and assessments. An inductive qualitative study was conducted among I MBBS students for Biochemistry to assess LMS acceptance and performance. Out of 150 students, 99 responded with 70.7% finding LMS effective, 67.74% agreeing it was user-friendly, and 52.8% satisfied with the grading system. Challenges included internet connectivity, but overall, students' feedback indicated LMS acceptance with academic flexibility, highlighting its potential to enhance medical education, especially during times when e-learning becomes essential.

Derangement in Homeostasis of Neutrophil Elastase and its Inhibitory Systems

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Derangement in Homeostasis of Neutrophil Elastase and its Inhibitory Systems Authors: Mamatha Kunder., A V; Moideen Kutty., V; Lakshmaiah Abstract: Neutrophils are the first to infiltrate ischemic brain regions causing the release of Neutrophil Elastase (NE), a pro-inflammatory proteinase. The activity of NE is well regulated by endogenous inhibitors alpha1-antitrypsin (a1-AT) and alpha2-macroglobulin (a2-MG). The physiological balance of elastase and anti-elastase factors is essential to maintain the normal integrity of tissues and an imbalance has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. The present study was designed to determine the plasma levels of NE, a1-AT, a2-MG, and NE–a1-AT complex to evaluate their role in inflammatory processes of ischemic stroke. The effect of homocysteine on the release of elastase from neutrophils was also studied. The study involved a total of 100 subjects (controls =60 and patients=40). Significantly higher mean elastase activity and lower a1-AT levels were observed in ischemic stroke patients than in controls. NE- a1-AT complex and a2-MG levels were significantly increased in the patient group. The in vitro study indicated homocysteine induced release of elastase from neutrophils. In conclusion, homeostasis of NE and its endogenous inhibitors is deranged in patients suggestive of their role in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke through exacerbating inflammatory and coagulation processes.

Bilirubin in Diabetic Retinopathy: Too Little or Too Much?

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Bilirubin in Diabetic Retinopathy: Too Little or Too Much? Authors: Harish, R.; Shashidhar, K N Abstract: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a significant diabetic complication that may result in loss of vision and blindness. The development of DR is intricate and encompasses numerous processes, such as oxidative stress. Bilirubin, a powerful antioxidant, has been proposed as a probable indicator for oxidative stress in DR. Bilirubin is a powerful antioxidant that helps to eliminate free radicals andotherreactiveoxygenspecies(ROS)inthebodybybeingproduced during the breakdown of heme. Additionally, it aids in the regulation of the expression of antioxidant genes, further bolstering its antioxidant properties. Therefore, bilirubin plays a crucial role in safeguarding cells from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress arises when there is an imbalance between ROS production and the body’s ability to detoxify them. This can result in oxidative damage to cellular components like proteins, lipids, and DNA. Oxidative stress hasbeenimplicatedinthedevelopmentofvariousailments,including Diabetic Retinopathy (DR).

An Insight into Survivin in Relevance to Hematological, Biochemical and Genetic Characteristics in Tobacco Chewers with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Mon, 01 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Title: An Insight into Survivin in Relevance to Hematological, Biochemical and Genetic Characteristics in Tobacco Chewers with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Authors: Susanna, T Y.; Dayanand., C D; Azeem Mohiyuddin., S M; Harendra Kumar, M L Abstract: Background: Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP), encoded by the Baculoviral IAP Repeat Containing 5 (BIRC5) gene located on q arm (25.3) on chromosome 17. It is expressed in various human cancers and involved in tumor resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. The genetic analysis of the BIRC5 gene and its protein survivin levels in buccal tissue related to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in South Indian tobacco chewers has not been studied. Hence, the study was designed to quantify survivin in buccal tissue and its association with pretreatment hematological parameters and to analyze the BIRC5 gene sequence. Method: In a single centric case control study,buccal tissue survivin levels were measured by ELISA. A total of 189 study subjects were categorized into Group 1 (n =63) habitual tobacco chewers with OSCC, Group 2 (n = 63) habitual tobacco chewers without OSCC, and Group 3 (n = 63) healthy subjects as control. Retrospective hematological data were collected from Group 1 subjects and statistically analyzed. The BIRC5 gene was sequenced and data were analyzed using a bioinformatics tool. Results: Survivin protein mean SD in Group 1 was (1670.9 796.21 pg/mL), in Group 2 it was (1096.02 346.17 pg/mL), and in Group 3 it was (397.5 96.1 pg/mL) with significance (p < 0.001). Survivin levels showed significance with cut off levels of absolute monocyte count (AMC), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and lympho cyte/monocyte ratio (LMR) at (p = 0.001). The unique variants found only in OSCC patients were T Ginthepromoterregion, G Cinexon3,C A,A G,G T,T G,A C,G Ain exon 4, C A,G T,G Cintheexon5region. Conclusions: Thetissuesurvivin level increased in OSCC patients compared to controls; pretreatment AMC, LMR, and NLR may serve as add-on markers along with survivin to measure the progression of OSCC. Unique mutations in the promoter and exons 3–5 were observed in sequence analysis and were associated with survivin concentrations.