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Background and objectives: Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis is a promising strategy employed in the treatment of various cancer types. Its clinical effectiveness is however constrained due to the adverse side effects of antiangiogenic drugs. There is growing interest in the use of medicinal plants for the development of novel drugs with enhanced efficacy. In the present study, we have evaluated three evergreen plants namely, Alstonia scholaris, Polyalthia longifolia, and Terminalia catappa for antiangiogenic properties. Methods: The leaf extracts of the selected plants were investigated for antiproliferative effects on cervical cancer (SiHa) and Human endothelial (HUVEC) cell lines. The anti-angiogenic properties were evaluated in vitro using HUVEC tube formation and cell migration assays, and in vivo using chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. They were further assessed for the expression of key angiogenesis-promoting genes HIF1 α, COX-2, VEGFA, and VEGFR2 using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: The three samples showed significant inhibition of the growth and differentiation of HUVEC cells, as well as the vascularization of CAM layer. Additionally, the extracts displayed a notable down-regulatory effect on the expression of angiogenesis promoter genes. Terminalia catappa demonstrated the highest efficacy in downregulating all genes. Polyalthia longifolia and Alstonia scholaris exhibited selective inhibition of HIF1 α and VEGFA genes, indicating variations in their anti-angiogenesis potential. Conclusion: The study highlighted the remarkable efficacy of Terminalia catappa in inhibiting angiogenesis and its associated genes across multiple pathways. Overall, the study, for the first time, identified the promising potential of three natural candidates for arresting angiogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Studies have shown the prevalence of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) in adolescents among low socio-economic group. Thus, this study was carried out to understand link between protein intake and diet preference across Body Mass Index (BMI) categories in female adolescents belonging to low socio-economic group. Method: 486 female adolescents between age group 10-17 years were randomly selected. Of which, 123, 48 and 315 preferred vegetarians, eggetarian and non-vegetarian respectively. The school faculties and parents of the children were prior consented for the data collection of the observatory study. The 3 categories of BMI were considered- Underweight/ Poor weight, Healthy weight and Overweight/Obese. Height, Weight, Diet preference and 7-day food recall was recorded for each of them. Consumed protein intake was then calculated using Ntuitive software which was then compared with Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS version 20 to evaluate association between protein intake and dietary preference across BMI. Results: Statistical analysis showed that protein consumption in non-vegetarians was found to be significantly correlated (p=0.006) across all BMI categories. However, there was no association found in vegetarians and eggetarians with respect to protein consumption and BMI (p=>0.05). 60.7% were found to be deficit in protein consumption among non-vegetarians which may be due to their low socio-economic status and affordability. Conclusion: The socio-economic factors that significantly influenced protein consumption among them can be the parent's income status and family's affordability, number of siblings in the family, lack of knowledge and awareness in family, preparation or method/ way of cooking techniques. The diet preferences did influence the protein intake in low socioeconomic status female adolescents. Further research will enable better insights to improve protein consumption in Indian children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & objectives: The pandemic of SARS-COV-2 began in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and has caused more than 101 million cases worldwide. Diagnostic technologies possessing sensitivity and specificity equivalent to real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assays are needed to ramp up testing capacity in most countries. Newer platforms need to be technically less demanding, require minimum equipment and reduce turn-around time for reporting results. The objective of this study was to exploit loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and evaluate its performance by comparison with rRT-PCR. Methods: Reverse-transcription LAMP (RT-LAMP) assay primers were designed to detect envelop (E) and nucleocapsid (N) genes of SARS-CoV-2. Positive control RNA was prepared by in vitro transcription of E and N genes clones. RT-LAMP amplification reactions were incubated at 65°C for 30 min. Results were recorded visually. RT-LAMP results were evaluated by comparing the results obtained with a commercial rRT-PCR kit. Results: The RT-LAMP assay for E and N genes was carried out in separate tubes. RT-LAMP detected about 40 copies of SARS-CoV-2 RNA per reaction. A total of 253 throat swabs were tested using the RTLAMP assay. The overall diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the LAMP assay were 98.46 and 100 per cent, respectively, as compared to the rRT-PCR. Interpretation & conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 RT-LAMP assay was designed, standardized and evaluated. The assay showed diagnostic sensitivity and specificity equivalent to rRT-PCR assays. The assay will be useful to increase testing capacity for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-infected people handling fruits and vegetables may spread the virus to healthy people on contact. Here we examined if SARS-CoV-2 was detectable on the fruits, vegetables, hand gloves and packaging materials collected from the open markets and pack houses in India. During the study (2021-22), swabs from 748 samples representing the majorly traded items were tested using RT-LAMP assay. The sensitivity and specificity of the kit were found to be equivalent to the RT-PCR assay. All test samples were found negative for SARS-CoV-2. Thus, it can be concluded that the virus is unlikely to spread to foods and packaging materials through human contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]