Dr. Ravindra M. Samartha | ICMR (original) (raw)

Papers by Dr. Ravindra M. Samartha

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is much more common than people recognize, and habitually goes undet... more Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is much more common than people recognize, and habitually goes undetected and undiagnosed until the disease is well advanced or when their kidney functions is down to 25% of normal function. Genetic and non-genetic factors contribute to cause CKD. Non-genetic factors include hypertension, High level of DNA damage due to the production of reactive oxygen species and nucleic acid oxidation has been reported in CKD patients. Main genetic factor which causes CKD is diabetic nephropathy. A three- to nine-fold greater risk of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is observed in individuals with a family history of ESRD. This greater risk have led researchers to search for genes linked to diabetic and other forms of nephropathy for the management of CKD. Multicenter consortia are currently recruiting large numbers of multiplex diabetic families with index cases having nephropathy for linkage and association analyses using various cytogenetic techniques. In addition, l...

The industrial disaster of Bhopal in 1984 resulted into widespread morbidity and mortality in the... more The industrial disaster of Bhopal in 1984 resulted into widespread morbidity and mortality in the vicinity of the industry and required long term surveillance for chronic health effects in those affected by the leakage of gas. Although few cytogenetic studies were undertaken to assess genetic damage in survivors of the disaster, no studies are available on cytogenetic damage of toxic gas exposed population having chronic kidney disease (CKD).Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate cytogenetic alterations in chronic kidney disease patients who wereexposed to leaked gas and to compare it with those who were not exposed to the leaked gas. The cytogenetic alterations were evaluated through chromosomal aberration analysis and micronuclei assay. The study included 608 study participants divided into four groups on the basis of history of exposure to the leaked gas and presence or absence of CKD. The results of the study showed no statistically significant difference in cytogenetic damag...

Journal of Radiation Research, 2015

Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 2015

Systematic biological measurement of "cytogenetic endpoints" has helped phenomenally in assessmen... more Systematic biological measurement of "cytogenetic endpoints" has helped phenomenally in assessment of risks associated with radiation exposure. There has been a surge in recent times for the usage of radioactive materials in health care, agriculture, industrial, and nuclear power sectors. The likelihood of radiation exposure from accidental or occupational means is always higher in an overburdened ecosystem that is continuously challenged to meet the population demands. Risks associated with radiation exposure in this era of modern industrial growth are minimal as international regulations for maintaining the safety standards are stringent and strictly adhered to, however, a recent disaster like "Fukushima" impels us to think beyond. The major objective of radiobiology is the development of an orally effective radio-modifier that provides protection from radiation exposure. Once available for mass usage, these compounds will not only be useful for providing selective protection against accidental and occupational radiation exposure but also help to permit use of higher doses of radiation during treatment of various malignancies curtailing unwarranted adverse effects imposed on normal tissues. Bio-active compounds isolated from natural sources enriched with antioxidants possess unique immunemodulating properties, thus providing a double edged benefit over synthetic radioprotectors. We aim to provide here a comprehensive overview of the various agents originating from plant sources that portrayed promising radioprotection in various experimental models with special emphasis on studies that used cytogenetic biomarkers. The agents will include crude extracts of various medicinal plants, purified fractions, and herbal preparations.

The radiomodulatory influence of aqueous extract of leaves of Mentha piperita Linn. 1gm/kg body w... more The radiomodulatory influence of aqueous extract of leaves of Mentha piperita Linn. 1gm/kg body weight/day) was studied on hepatic antioxidant status; glutathione content (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were assessed in Swiss albino mice. A significant decrease in the activities of glutathione content (GSH, P<0.001), glutathione peroxidase (GPX, P<0.50), glutathione reductase (GR, P<0.05), glutathione-S-transferase (GST, P<0.05), superoxide dismutase (SOD, P<0.50) and catalase (CAT, P<0.50) were observed in the liver of mice exposed to 8.0 Gy gamma radiation. Also, a significant increase in malondialdehyde formation (MDA) in liver was observed in these animals. However, animals pretreated with Mentha extract and exposed to 8.0 Gy gamma radiation showed a significant increase in the activities of reduced glutathione content (GSH, ...

International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health, 2013

The world's worst industrial disaster, at Union Carbide, Bhopal, India, took place on 2-3 Dec... more The world's worst industrial disaster, at Union Carbide, Bhopal, India, took place on 2-3 December 1984, leading to the leakage of poisonous methyl-isocyanate into the environment, causing thousands of deaths, pregnancy loss and for some, incapacitation for life. More than a quarter of a century later, the Indian Council of Medical Research undertook to redefine the abysmal consequences of the toxic gas exposure on the exposed population. This invigorated the interest of scientific community in the evaluation of the long-term effects, with reference to cytogenetic parameters. The thrust area was identified in terms of genetic disorders, low birth weight, developmental/growth disorders and congenital malformations. Also the impact on epigenetic factors, which may have contributed to variations in the functional expression of genes, was not negated, stimulating intense scientific research on in utero exposure and the progeny of the exposed population. To accomplish this mammoth ta...

Indian journal of experimental biology, 2001

Mentha extract (ME; 1 g/kg body wt) given orally for three consecutive days prior to whole body i... more Mentha extract (ME; 1 g/kg body wt) given orally for three consecutive days prior to whole body irradiation (8 Gy) showed modulation of activity of serum phosphatases in albino mice. Values of acid phosphatase activities were significantly higher in untreated irradiated group throughout the experiment. Irradiated animals pretreated with ME showed significant decline in acid phosphatase activity as compared to untreated irradiated animals at all autopsy intervals and attained normalcy at day 5. A marked decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase activity was recorded in both irradiated groups. However, in ME pretreated irradiated group, values of alkaline phosphatase activity remained significantly higher than untreated irradiated animals at all intervals and attained normalcy from day 5 onwards.

Journal of Medical Sciences(Faisalabad), 2010

Indian journal of experimental biology, 2003

Oral administration of M. piperita (1 g/kg body weight/day) before exposure to gamma radiation wa... more Oral administration of M. piperita (1 g/kg body weight/day) before exposure to gamma radiation was found to be effective in protecting against the chromosomal damage in bone marrow of Swiss albino mice. Animals exposed to 8 Gy gamma radiation showed chromosomal aberrations in the form of chromatid breaks, chromosome breaks, centric rings, dicentrics, exchanges and acentric fragments. There was a significant increase in the frequency of aberrant cells at 6 hr after irradiation. Maximum aberrant cells were observed at 12 hr post-irradiation autopsy time. Further, the frequency of aberrant cells showed decline at late post-irradiation autopsy time. However, in the animals pretreated with Mentha extract, there was a significant decrease in the frequency of aberrant cells as compared to the irradiated control. Also significant increase in percentage of chromatid breaks, chromosome breaks, centric rings, dicentrics, exchanges, acentric fragments, total aberrations and aberrations/damaged ...

British Journal of Nutrition, 2011

Prevention of cancer through nutritional intervention has gained significant recognition in recen... more Prevention of cancer through nutritional intervention has gained significant recognition in recent years. Evidence revealed from mechanistic investigations coupled with molecular epidemiology show an inverse association of dietary flavonoids intake with cancer risk. The chemopreventive and anticarcinogenic potential of Selaginella bryopteris, a traditional Indian herb referred to as ‘Sanjeevani’ in the Ayurvedic system of medicine, was examined in the present study. Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted on the flavonoid-rich benzene fraction of the aqueous extract that demonstrated a significant cytoprotective activity. Biomarkers of chemoprevention such as proliferative index and status of cell-cycle regulatory proteins, antioxidant property, anti-inflammatory effect, reversal of stress-induced senescence and genoprotective effect were investigated in human and murine cell cultures. Chemopreventive potential was assessed in benzopyrene-induced lung carcinogenesi...

Research on Chemical Intermediates, 2013

ABSTRACT A new series of structurally diverse quinolinobenzothiazinones has been synthesized with... more ABSTRACT A new series of structurally diverse quinolinobenzothiazinones has been synthesized with the annulation of heterocyclic structural pharmacophores. The structures of the synthesized compounds were assigned on the basis of their analytical and spectral data. The synthesized quinolinobenzothiazinones were evaluated for their antioxidant (LPO and GSH) and radical scavenging activities (DPPH and ABTS assays).

Nutrition and Cancer, 2014

Intervention to decelerate, arrest, or reverse the process of carcinogenesis by the use of either... more Intervention to decelerate, arrest, or reverse the process of carcinogenesis by the use of either natural or synthetic agents individually or in combination has emerged as a promising and pragmatic medical approach to reduce cancer risk. In the present study, we examined the cancer chemopreventive potential of a flavonoid-rich fraction isolated from the seeds of Carica papaya, a plant traditionally referred to as papaw. The flavonoid-enriched benzene fraction of the aqueous extract exerted its anticancer properties in vitro through cytoprotection, antioxidative and antiinflammatory mechanisms and genoprotection in response to isocyanate-induced carcinogenicity. Medium-term anticarcinogenicity and 2-stage skin papillomagenesis studies conducted in benzopyrene-induced lung carcinogenesis and 7,12-dimethyl benz(a)anthracene-mediated skin papillomagenesis mouse models further validated our in vitro observations. This is the first demonstration of chemopreventive activities of papaya seed products, however, further studies to understand the subtle targets of intracellular signaling pathways, pharmacological profile and toxicological safety of this bioactive fraction are essential to pave the way for successful clinical translation. Our study supports the inverse association between dietary flavonoid intake and cancer risk.

pharmacologyonline.silae.it

Gene, 2012

We present a case of a ring (21) in a mentally challenged patient with mosaicism for trisomy 21 s... more We present a case of a ring (21) in a mentally challenged patient with mosaicism for trisomy 21 showing karyotype 47, XY,+21/47,XY,+21(r)/46,XY, born to normal parents. The parents and female sibling were phenotypically normal. This is a unique case report from Central India, on occurrence of trisomy 21 and r (21) in the same individual born to normal parents. Also being documented for the first time is the immuno-FISH analysis revealing differential expression of hTERT and a linked over expression of TRF2 in proband, probably corresponding to a high percentage of acrocentric associations.

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health , 2021

Air pollution results from a variable and complex mixture of harmful gases and suspended particle... more Air pollution results from a variable and complex mixture of harmful gases and suspended particles and is the most worrisome of all environmental hazards. It is implicated in several non -communicable diseases and is recognized to be a public health problem. Though the initial exposure to air pollution is through the respiratory system, kidneys are thought to be exposed to higher concentrations owing to their filtration function. Chronic kidney disease is the insidious end result of several disease processes which cumulatively form a large healthcare burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. There is a growing body of evidence that air pollution may be a contributing factor that leads to CKD by not only its direct effects, but can also compound the effect of other factors/diseases causing kidney injury. PM2.5 exposure particularly has been implicated, although there is some evidence regarding other air pollutants as well. These pollutants are thought to act on kidneys through several interlinked systemic pathways and mechanisms which individually and collectively damage the nephrons. Long-term exposures seem to gradually diminish renal function and lead to end-stage renal disease. A thorough understanding of the mechanism of kidney injury is the key for formulating and implementing effective strategies for reducing this burden. Maintaining the air quality, promoting education, improving health quality and promotion of targeted nephroprotective measures through effective policy and research support are required in addressing this global public health problem.

Preprint, 2021

The industrial disaster of Bhopal in 1984 resulted in widespread morbidity and mortality in the v... more The industrial disaster of Bhopal in 1984 resulted in widespread morbidity and mortality in the vicinity of the industry and required long-term surveillance for chronic health effects in those affected by the leakage of gas. Although few cytogenetic studies were undertaken to assess genetic damage in survivors of the disaster, no studies are available on cytogenetic damage of toxic gas-exposed populations having chronic kidney disease (CKD). Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate cytogenetic alterations in chronic kidney disease patients who were exposed to leaked gas and to compare it with those who were not exposed to the leaked gas. The cytogenetic alterations were evaluated through chromosomal aberration analysis and micronuclei assay. The study included 608 study participants divided into four groups based on the history of exposure to the leaked gas and the presence or absence of CKD. The results of the study showed no statistically signi cant difference in cytogenetic damage between gas-exposed and non-exposed patients of CKD. However, signi cantly higher cytogenetic damage was observed among gas-exposed participants having CKD as compared to gas-exposed participants free from CKD. Thus, to conclude though the cytogenetic alterations were observed in an exposed group it cannot be solely attributed to the gas exposure and the role of other confounders must also be studied.

Preprint, 2021

Purpose: The frequency of acrocentric chromosome associations (ACA) was studied to determine the ... more Purpose: The frequency of acrocentric chromosome associations (ACA) was studied to determine the possible doseresponse relation with low doses of gamma irradiation in lymphocytes. Methods: Peripheral blood collected from three healthy donors were irradiated with 0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 Gy gamma radiation. Chromosomal preparations were made after 48 hrs culture as per the standard guidelines. Results: The average number of ACA and ACA % were increased signi cantly with an increase in a dose. The D-G and D-D type of association was most prominent and showed a dose-dependent increase. The ACA frequency in irradiated lymphocytes showed an increase concerning the dose. The tted regression equation was y=0.4759x+0.1663 (R 2 =0.9635; p=0.0005). An assessment of dicentric chromosomes (DC) was carried for the same slides. The correlation curve was prepared for ACA frequencies versus DC frequencies, resulting in a regression equation as y=8.659x+0.2.37 (R 2 =0.8275; p=0.0119). Conclusion: Our results showed an increase in frequencies of ACA in irradiated lymphocytes with an increase in radiation dose and followed a similar linear trend with DC frequency, thus, ACA may serve as a candidate cytogenetic biomarker for radiation biodosimetry especially for low radiation doses.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Background The increasing trend of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in becoming the t... more Background The increasing trend of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in becoming the third leading cause of deaths by 2020 is of great concern, globally as well as in India. Dysregulation of protease/anti-protease balance in COPD has been reported to cause tissue destruction, inflammation and airway remodelling; which are peculiar characteristics of COPD. Therefore, it is imperative to explore various serum proteases involved in COPD pathogenesis, as candidate biomarkers. COPD and Asthma often have overlapping symptoms and therefore involvement of certain proteases in their pathogenesis would render accurate diagnosis of COPD to be difficult. Methods Serum samples from controls, COPD and Asthma patients were collected after requisite institutional ethics committee approvals. The preliminary analysis qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed various serum proteases by ELISA and mass spectrometry techniques. In order to identify a distinct biomarker of COPD, serum neutrophi...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is much more common than people recognize, and habitually goes undet... more Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is much more common than people recognize, and habitually goes undetected and undiagnosed until the disease is well advanced or when their kidney functions is down to 25% of normal function. Genetic and non-genetic factors contribute to cause CKD. Non-genetic factors include hypertension, High level of DNA damage due to the production of reactive oxygen species and nucleic acid oxidation has been reported in CKD patients. Main genetic factor which causes CKD is diabetic nephropathy. A three- to nine-fold greater risk of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is observed in individuals with a family history of ESRD. This greater risk have led researchers to search for genes linked to diabetic and other forms of nephropathy for the management of CKD. Multicenter consortia are currently recruiting large numbers of multiplex diabetic families with index cases having nephropathy for linkage and association analyses using various cytogenetic techniques. In addition, l...

The industrial disaster of Bhopal in 1984 resulted into widespread morbidity and mortality in the... more The industrial disaster of Bhopal in 1984 resulted into widespread morbidity and mortality in the vicinity of the industry and required long term surveillance for chronic health effects in those affected by the leakage of gas. Although few cytogenetic studies were undertaken to assess genetic damage in survivors of the disaster, no studies are available on cytogenetic damage of toxic gas exposed population having chronic kidney disease (CKD).Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate cytogenetic alterations in chronic kidney disease patients who wereexposed to leaked gas and to compare it with those who were not exposed to the leaked gas. The cytogenetic alterations were evaluated through chromosomal aberration analysis and micronuclei assay. The study included 608 study participants divided into four groups on the basis of history of exposure to the leaked gas and presence or absence of CKD. The results of the study showed no statistically significant difference in cytogenetic damag...

Journal of Radiation Research, 2015

Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 2015

Systematic biological measurement of "cytogenetic endpoints" has helped phenomenally in assessmen... more Systematic biological measurement of "cytogenetic endpoints" has helped phenomenally in assessment of risks associated with radiation exposure. There has been a surge in recent times for the usage of radioactive materials in health care, agriculture, industrial, and nuclear power sectors. The likelihood of radiation exposure from accidental or occupational means is always higher in an overburdened ecosystem that is continuously challenged to meet the population demands. Risks associated with radiation exposure in this era of modern industrial growth are minimal as international regulations for maintaining the safety standards are stringent and strictly adhered to, however, a recent disaster like "Fukushima" impels us to think beyond. The major objective of radiobiology is the development of an orally effective radio-modifier that provides protection from radiation exposure. Once available for mass usage, these compounds will not only be useful for providing selective protection against accidental and occupational radiation exposure but also help to permit use of higher doses of radiation during treatment of various malignancies curtailing unwarranted adverse effects imposed on normal tissues. Bio-active compounds isolated from natural sources enriched with antioxidants possess unique immunemodulating properties, thus providing a double edged benefit over synthetic radioprotectors. We aim to provide here a comprehensive overview of the various agents originating from plant sources that portrayed promising radioprotection in various experimental models with special emphasis on studies that used cytogenetic biomarkers. The agents will include crude extracts of various medicinal plants, purified fractions, and herbal preparations.

The radiomodulatory influence of aqueous extract of leaves of Mentha piperita Linn. 1gm/kg body w... more The radiomodulatory influence of aqueous extract of leaves of Mentha piperita Linn. 1gm/kg body weight/day) was studied on hepatic antioxidant status; glutathione content (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were assessed in Swiss albino mice. A significant decrease in the activities of glutathione content (GSH, P<0.001), glutathione peroxidase (GPX, P<0.50), glutathione reductase (GR, P<0.05), glutathione-S-transferase (GST, P<0.05), superoxide dismutase (SOD, P<0.50) and catalase (CAT, P<0.50) were observed in the liver of mice exposed to 8.0 Gy gamma radiation. Also, a significant increase in malondialdehyde formation (MDA) in liver was observed in these animals. However, animals pretreated with Mentha extract and exposed to 8.0 Gy gamma radiation showed a significant increase in the activities of reduced glutathione content (GSH, ...

International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health, 2013

The world's worst industrial disaster, at Union Carbide, Bhopal, India, took place on 2-3 Dec... more The world's worst industrial disaster, at Union Carbide, Bhopal, India, took place on 2-3 December 1984, leading to the leakage of poisonous methyl-isocyanate into the environment, causing thousands of deaths, pregnancy loss and for some, incapacitation for life. More than a quarter of a century later, the Indian Council of Medical Research undertook to redefine the abysmal consequences of the toxic gas exposure on the exposed population. This invigorated the interest of scientific community in the evaluation of the long-term effects, with reference to cytogenetic parameters. The thrust area was identified in terms of genetic disorders, low birth weight, developmental/growth disorders and congenital malformations. Also the impact on epigenetic factors, which may have contributed to variations in the functional expression of genes, was not negated, stimulating intense scientific research on in utero exposure and the progeny of the exposed population. To accomplish this mammoth ta...

Indian journal of experimental biology, 2001

Mentha extract (ME; 1 g/kg body wt) given orally for three consecutive days prior to whole body i... more Mentha extract (ME; 1 g/kg body wt) given orally for three consecutive days prior to whole body irradiation (8 Gy) showed modulation of activity of serum phosphatases in albino mice. Values of acid phosphatase activities were significantly higher in untreated irradiated group throughout the experiment. Irradiated animals pretreated with ME showed significant decline in acid phosphatase activity as compared to untreated irradiated animals at all autopsy intervals and attained normalcy at day 5. A marked decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase activity was recorded in both irradiated groups. However, in ME pretreated irradiated group, values of alkaline phosphatase activity remained significantly higher than untreated irradiated animals at all intervals and attained normalcy from day 5 onwards.

Journal of Medical Sciences(Faisalabad), 2010

Indian journal of experimental biology, 2003

Oral administration of M. piperita (1 g/kg body weight/day) before exposure to gamma radiation wa... more Oral administration of M. piperita (1 g/kg body weight/day) before exposure to gamma radiation was found to be effective in protecting against the chromosomal damage in bone marrow of Swiss albino mice. Animals exposed to 8 Gy gamma radiation showed chromosomal aberrations in the form of chromatid breaks, chromosome breaks, centric rings, dicentrics, exchanges and acentric fragments. There was a significant increase in the frequency of aberrant cells at 6 hr after irradiation. Maximum aberrant cells were observed at 12 hr post-irradiation autopsy time. Further, the frequency of aberrant cells showed decline at late post-irradiation autopsy time. However, in the animals pretreated with Mentha extract, there was a significant decrease in the frequency of aberrant cells as compared to the irradiated control. Also significant increase in percentage of chromatid breaks, chromosome breaks, centric rings, dicentrics, exchanges, acentric fragments, total aberrations and aberrations/damaged ...

British Journal of Nutrition, 2011

Prevention of cancer through nutritional intervention has gained significant recognition in recen... more Prevention of cancer through nutritional intervention has gained significant recognition in recent years. Evidence revealed from mechanistic investigations coupled with molecular epidemiology show an inverse association of dietary flavonoids intake with cancer risk. The chemopreventive and anticarcinogenic potential of Selaginella bryopteris, a traditional Indian herb referred to as ‘Sanjeevani’ in the Ayurvedic system of medicine, was examined in the present study. Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted on the flavonoid-rich benzene fraction of the aqueous extract that demonstrated a significant cytoprotective activity. Biomarkers of chemoprevention such as proliferative index and status of cell-cycle regulatory proteins, antioxidant property, anti-inflammatory effect, reversal of stress-induced senescence and genoprotective effect were investigated in human and murine cell cultures. Chemopreventive potential was assessed in benzopyrene-induced lung carcinogenesi...

Research on Chemical Intermediates, 2013

ABSTRACT A new series of structurally diverse quinolinobenzothiazinones has been synthesized with... more ABSTRACT A new series of structurally diverse quinolinobenzothiazinones has been synthesized with the annulation of heterocyclic structural pharmacophores. The structures of the synthesized compounds were assigned on the basis of their analytical and spectral data. The synthesized quinolinobenzothiazinones were evaluated for their antioxidant (LPO and GSH) and radical scavenging activities (DPPH and ABTS assays).

Nutrition and Cancer, 2014

Intervention to decelerate, arrest, or reverse the process of carcinogenesis by the use of either... more Intervention to decelerate, arrest, or reverse the process of carcinogenesis by the use of either natural or synthetic agents individually or in combination has emerged as a promising and pragmatic medical approach to reduce cancer risk. In the present study, we examined the cancer chemopreventive potential of a flavonoid-rich fraction isolated from the seeds of Carica papaya, a plant traditionally referred to as papaw. The flavonoid-enriched benzene fraction of the aqueous extract exerted its anticancer properties in vitro through cytoprotection, antioxidative and antiinflammatory mechanisms and genoprotection in response to isocyanate-induced carcinogenicity. Medium-term anticarcinogenicity and 2-stage skin papillomagenesis studies conducted in benzopyrene-induced lung carcinogenesis and 7,12-dimethyl benz(a)anthracene-mediated skin papillomagenesis mouse models further validated our in vitro observations. This is the first demonstration of chemopreventive activities of papaya seed products, however, further studies to understand the subtle targets of intracellular signaling pathways, pharmacological profile and toxicological safety of this bioactive fraction are essential to pave the way for successful clinical translation. Our study supports the inverse association between dietary flavonoid intake and cancer risk.

pharmacologyonline.silae.it

Gene, 2012

We present a case of a ring (21) in a mentally challenged patient with mosaicism for trisomy 21 s... more We present a case of a ring (21) in a mentally challenged patient with mosaicism for trisomy 21 showing karyotype 47, XY,+21/47,XY,+21(r)/46,XY, born to normal parents. The parents and female sibling were phenotypically normal. This is a unique case report from Central India, on occurrence of trisomy 21 and r (21) in the same individual born to normal parents. Also being documented for the first time is the immuno-FISH analysis revealing differential expression of hTERT and a linked over expression of TRF2 in proband, probably corresponding to a high percentage of acrocentric associations.

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health , 2021

Air pollution results from a variable and complex mixture of harmful gases and suspended particle... more Air pollution results from a variable and complex mixture of harmful gases and suspended particles and is the most worrisome of all environmental hazards. It is implicated in several non -communicable diseases and is recognized to be a public health problem. Though the initial exposure to air pollution is through the respiratory system, kidneys are thought to be exposed to higher concentrations owing to their filtration function. Chronic kidney disease is the insidious end result of several disease processes which cumulatively form a large healthcare burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. There is a growing body of evidence that air pollution may be a contributing factor that leads to CKD by not only its direct effects, but can also compound the effect of other factors/diseases causing kidney injury. PM2.5 exposure particularly has been implicated, although there is some evidence regarding other air pollutants as well. These pollutants are thought to act on kidneys through several interlinked systemic pathways and mechanisms which individually and collectively damage the nephrons. Long-term exposures seem to gradually diminish renal function and lead to end-stage renal disease. A thorough understanding of the mechanism of kidney injury is the key for formulating and implementing effective strategies for reducing this burden. Maintaining the air quality, promoting education, improving health quality and promotion of targeted nephroprotective measures through effective policy and research support are required in addressing this global public health problem.

Preprint, 2021

The industrial disaster of Bhopal in 1984 resulted in widespread morbidity and mortality in the v... more The industrial disaster of Bhopal in 1984 resulted in widespread morbidity and mortality in the vicinity of the industry and required long-term surveillance for chronic health effects in those affected by the leakage of gas. Although few cytogenetic studies were undertaken to assess genetic damage in survivors of the disaster, no studies are available on cytogenetic damage of toxic gas-exposed populations having chronic kidney disease (CKD). Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate cytogenetic alterations in chronic kidney disease patients who were exposed to leaked gas and to compare it with those who were not exposed to the leaked gas. The cytogenetic alterations were evaluated through chromosomal aberration analysis and micronuclei assay. The study included 608 study participants divided into four groups based on the history of exposure to the leaked gas and the presence or absence of CKD. The results of the study showed no statistically signi cant difference in cytogenetic damage between gas-exposed and non-exposed patients of CKD. However, signi cantly higher cytogenetic damage was observed among gas-exposed participants having CKD as compared to gas-exposed participants free from CKD. Thus, to conclude though the cytogenetic alterations were observed in an exposed group it cannot be solely attributed to the gas exposure and the role of other confounders must also be studied.

Preprint, 2021

Purpose: The frequency of acrocentric chromosome associations (ACA) was studied to determine the ... more Purpose: The frequency of acrocentric chromosome associations (ACA) was studied to determine the possible doseresponse relation with low doses of gamma irradiation in lymphocytes. Methods: Peripheral blood collected from three healthy donors were irradiated with 0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 Gy gamma radiation. Chromosomal preparations were made after 48 hrs culture as per the standard guidelines. Results: The average number of ACA and ACA % were increased signi cantly with an increase in a dose. The D-G and D-D type of association was most prominent and showed a dose-dependent increase. The ACA frequency in irradiated lymphocytes showed an increase concerning the dose. The tted regression equation was y=0.4759x+0.1663 (R 2 =0.9635; p=0.0005). An assessment of dicentric chromosomes (DC) was carried for the same slides. The correlation curve was prepared for ACA frequencies versus DC frequencies, resulting in a regression equation as y=8.659x+0.2.37 (R 2 =0.8275; p=0.0119). Conclusion: Our results showed an increase in frequencies of ACA in irradiated lymphocytes with an increase in radiation dose and followed a similar linear trend with DC frequency, thus, ACA may serve as a candidate cytogenetic biomarker for radiation biodosimetry especially for low radiation doses.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Background The increasing trend of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in becoming the t... more Background The increasing trend of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in becoming the third leading cause of deaths by 2020 is of great concern, globally as well as in India. Dysregulation of protease/anti-protease balance in COPD has been reported to cause tissue destruction, inflammation and airway remodelling; which are peculiar characteristics of COPD. Therefore, it is imperative to explore various serum proteases involved in COPD pathogenesis, as candidate biomarkers. COPD and Asthma often have overlapping symptoms and therefore involvement of certain proteases in their pathogenesis would render accurate diagnosis of COPD to be difficult. Methods Serum samples from controls, COPD and Asthma patients were collected after requisite institutional ethics committee approvals. The preliminary analysis qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed various serum proteases by ELISA and mass spectrometry techniques. In order to identify a distinct biomarker of COPD, serum neutrophi...