Category: Readings
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Clinical status of potential drugs used for COVID-19 treatment and recent advances in new therapeutics – A review
COVID-19, a perilous disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, has brought a massive damage to humankind, and turned into a global catastrophe. It was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and since then has been a constant source of worry for the scientists and the medical world, due to the carnage it has caused globally.…
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Testosterone in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death from infectious diseases worldwide with more than 1.5 million deaths occurring annually. Males have been known to be more susceptible to tuberculosis than females. Sex hormones could be an important factor governing this gender bias. Here, we discuss the evidence that testosterone may be a crucial factor in…
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A comparative study of isothermal nucleic acid amplification methods for SARS-CoV-2 detection at point-of-care
COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has put most of the world under lockdown. Despite approved vaccines, COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have remained on the rise. Rapid diagnosis and necessary public health measures are still key parts to contain the pandemic. Here, the colorimetric isothermal nucleic acid amplification tests (iNAATs) for SARS-CoV-2 detection…
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Immunoendocrine regulation of energy homeostasis and male reproduction
Human reproductive system involve a number of intricate complex interconnected physiological metabolic pathways and metabolites with involvement of overall health of different body organs. Overall health alterations mediated physiological conditions such as obesity, diabetes etc. bring about additional variations in expression and presence of metabolic constituents including kinases, hormones, proteins, peptides. The detailed analysis of…
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Resistin and visfatin: ‘connecting threads’ of immunity, energy modulations and male reproduction
Adipokines, mostly produced by white adipose tissues, have been established to be endocrine factors which are also essential in energy homeostasis. More recently, their contribution in fertility regulation has been recommended. Resistin as well as visfatin are unique adipocyte-derived signaling chemicals whose expressions enhance in advanced obesity and are implicated in insulin resistance as well…
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Leptin in Energy homeostasis, Male reproduction, and Immune regulation
Discovery of leptin has changed the view of adipose tissue from energy storehouse to active neuroendocrine and immune organ. Adipokineleptin is a16 kDa amino acid protein, encoded by LEP gene, secreted by adipose tissue, and acts through leptin receptor which is a cytokine receptor. Leptin is a central regulator of energy homeostasis by regulating food…
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Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium bifidum reduces postprandial hyperglycaemia, inhibits α-glucosidase activity and improve histology of pancreatic islets in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats
Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria are generally accredited as potential anti-diabetic agents, but the mechanism of action is still not clear. This study aimed to investigate the result of administration of Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium bifidum on α-glucosidase enzyme, postprandial blood glucose level, and histological changes that occur in the pancreatic β-cells in streptozotocin (STZ (50 mg/kg body weight)) induced diabetic rats.…
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Orexins: the ‘multitasking’ neuropeptides in the energy metabolism and immune regulation of male reproduction
Orexins are hypothalamus-derived neuropeptides with versatile functions. The most explored domains of orexins’ functions are their influence on the central nervous system (CNS) implicated in the regulation of sleep/wakefulness cycle, food intake behavior, energy homeostasis, and cognitive processes. Orexins reportedly bear two isoforms, orexin-A (OXA) and orexin-B (OXB), that act via their specific G protein-coupled…
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Chemerin and male reproduction: ‘a tangled rope’ connecting metabolism and inflammation
Adipokines are peptides produced mainly by the fat tissue adipocytes and their levels are sensitive to alterations in metabolic state. While there is little known about the impact of adipokines on male reproductive control, both animal-based experimental data and clinical research suggest that they can influence numerous male fertility indices. Chemerin is a newly found…
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Implications of advance biomaterials in development of new contraceptive devices
Contraceptives are playing an integral role in maintaining human reproductive and sexual health in present society. Currently available contraceptives are based on the ease of applying, comfort during use, and activity period. The materials used in the development of contraceptives can be a determining factor towards the desired features for possible adoption. Here, in this…