The Journal of Experimental Life Science

Assessment of Vitamin D Deficiency Prevalence among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in a South Indian Tertiary Care Hospital

2024-09-23T04:13:54+00:00

Vitamin D deficiency has become a global health issue and is associated with the multifactorial clinical manifestations of diabetes. The objective of this study is to analyze vitamin D deficiency in T2DM patients in association with biochemical parameters and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This study was a cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital conducted after the Institutional Ethical Committee (IEC) approval. The available descriptive data of patients, such as age, gender, biochemical parameters, TSH, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), were collected. Vitamin D was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The descriptive parameters were statistically analyzed using chi-square analysis. The results comprise 322 T2DM patients, with 187 males and 135 females. Vitamin D status levels were observed to have severe deficiency < 10 ng.mL^-1 (23.6%), deficiency >10-20 ng.mL^-1 (42.2%), insufficient >20-29 ng.mL^-1 (22.7%), and sufficient > 30 ng.mL^-1 (11.5%). The male and female patients with vitamin D status were significantly (p<0.001) different between groups. No significant (p = 0.122) association was observed between HbA1c and vitamin D. The high status of vitamin D deficiency with high glycemic levels is associated with poor diabetic control. Therefore, patients require awareness about their vitamin D status; with a proper diet, adequate exposure to sunlight, and exercise can help them improve their health.

Keywords: Cholesterol, HbA1c, TSH, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Vitamin D.

Evaluating SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Transfection in HEK-293T Cells for VLP Applications

2024-10-10T06:45:36+00:00

The spike protein in SARS-CoV-2 works mainly to initiate infections, especially for binding to host cells and fusing with cell membranes. Characterizing SARS-CoV-2 spikes protein transfection cells could optimize the production of VLP in HEK-293T cells. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein expression in transfected HEK-293T cells. Characterization of spike protein in transfected-HEK 293T cells was used to determine VLP formation in SARS-CoV-2. The study was conducted by isolating DNA and protein from transfected HEK 293T cells and analyzing spike expression using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Flow Cytometry. The success of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein transfection in PCR analysis has yet to be confirmed because DNA band smears do not specifically indicate the spike protein's size. However, the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was successfully confirmed using flow cytometry with the percentage of spike-EGFP by 30%. Therefore, the present study confirmed the presence of spike protein in transfected HEK 293T cells by flow cytometry analysis.

Keywords: Coronavirus, Characterization, DNA, Spike, Virus-Like Particle (VLP)

The Comparison Effect of DOCA and L-NAME on T Cells Activation in the Preeclampsia Mice Model

2024-10-10T06:44:20+00:00

Preeclampsia is a systemic disorder of pregnancy characterized by the maternal immune system's failure to properly adapt to fetal antigens, resulting in chronic inflammatory responses. This research aimed to examine the effects of DOCA (deoxycorticosterone acetate) and L-NAME (Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) in inducing preeclampsia in pregnant BALB/c mice, focusing on lymphocyte activation. Twenty-four BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: NP (non-pregnant mice), P (healthy pregnant mice), D (pregnant mice received DOCA), and L (pregnant mice received L-NAME). DOCA was dissolved in corn oil and administered subcutaneously at 12.5 mg.kg^-1 BW before pregnancy and 6.5 mg.kg^-1 BW weekly during pregnancy. L-NAME was administered daily starting from day 5 of pregnancy. Mice were dissected on day 16 of pregnancy, and the spleen was isolated to analyze the relative number of CD4⁺CD62L⁺ and CD8⁺CD62L⁺ T cells. The results showed that DOCA and LNAME exhibited fewer CD4⁺CD62L⁺ and CD8⁺CD62L⁺ T cells than healthy pregnant mice. The administration of DOCA at 12.5 mg.kg^-1 BW (before mating) and 6.5 mg.kg^-1 (day 7 of pregnancy) was more effective in triggering the activation of CD4⁺CD62L⁺ and CD8⁺CD62L⁺ T cells than the others indicated by the lowest number of CD4⁺CD62L⁺ and CD8⁺CD62L⁺T cells. However, the conclusion of which one is more effective in inducing preeclampsia has not been reached. This is due to the many parameters that must be observed related to preeclampsia. Further studies are needed, especially examining proinflammatory cytokine production in T cells after induction with both inducers.

Keywords: DOCA, L-NAME, Lymphocyte, Mice, Preeclampsia.

Analysis of Urban Groundwater Quality in Dryland Areas of Kebbi State, Nigeria

2024-10-21T05:04:35+00:00

This study aims to assess the physicochemical composition of groundwater in the dryland area of Kebbi State, Nigeria. Groundwater samples were collected from four urban areas – Argungu, Birnin Kebbi, Gwandu, and Kalgo. Forty water samples from deep wells, i.e. boreholes/hand pumps, were obtained and analyzed. Twelve physicochemical parameters were analyzed, and these include Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Chloride (Cl^-), Potassium (K⁺), Calcium (Ca²⁺), Iron (Fe³⁺), Magnesium (Mg²⁺), Zinc (Zn²⁺), Cupper (Cu²⁺) Bicarbonates (HCO₃^-) and Sodium (Na⁺). The Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI) assessment of groundwater quality for the four urban areas revealed that 45% of the water sources were good quality, 35% were poor quality, and 5% were very poor quality. A 15% were unsuitable for drinking due to the high concentration of EC, TDS, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ca²⁺ ions. The physicochemical examination of groundwater from four urban areas showed results that satisfied the WHO drinking water standard. Results from a non-parametric statistical test (Kruskal-Wallis) showed a significant difference in EC and TDS are significant at < 0.001 in the groundwater of Gwandu, while no significant differences exist in the physicochemical parameters of Argungu, Birnin Kebbi, and Kalgo. Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated that rock weathering controls groundwater quality primarily. However, correlations between TDS and other physicochemical parameters are indications of anthropogenic contributions to groundwater pollution in the study area. The overall assessment of the Water Quality Index in the study area indicates that groundwater needs treatment, proper maintenance, and compliance with the world standard.

Keywords: Groundwater, Physicochemical parameters, Water quality, Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI).

Evaluation of TNF-α and IFN-γ Levels in Macrophage of Preeclampsia Mice Model Induced by DOCA and L-NAME

2024-10-29T04:13:58+00:00

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder characterized by high blood pressure, proteinuria, and chronic inflammation that potentially leads to multiorgan failure. This study investigated differences in the relative number of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ & TNF-α) in preeclamptic mice induced by DOCA and L-NAME. Eighteen pregnant BALB/c mice (n=6): pregnant mice without any treatment (P), pregnant mice treated with Deoxycorticosterone acetate/DOCA (D), and pregnant mice treated with N-ω-L-arginine Methyl Ester/L-NAME (L) and healthy nonpregnant mice as control (NP). DOCA at 12.5 mg.kg^-1 BW was injected subcutaneously before mating and 6.5 mg. kg^-1 BW after mating every week for 16 days. L-NAME was administered orally at 75 mg.kg^-1 BW daily after five days of gestation. Mice were dissected in the second trimester (day 16), and then the spleen was isolated to analyze the relative number of CD11b⁺IFN-γ⁺ and CD11b⁺TNF-α⁺ using flow cytometry analysis. The results showed that DOCA and L-NAME induction did not significantly induce the production of TNF-α levels in the macrophage of pregnant mice. However, both DOCA and L-NAME significantly induce the production of IFN-γ levels in the macrophage of pregnant mice. Further evaluation of other markers related to preeclampsia should be done to better understand the roles of DOCA and L-NAME in inducing preeclampsia.

Keywords: DOCA, L-NAME, mice, preeclampsia, pregnant.