India Diabetes Research Foundation

Nanocarriers have emerged as promising systems for improving drug-delivery efficiency and advancing diagnostic strategies in cancer treatment. l-asparaginase has well-established antitumor and anti-leukemic properties, but its therapeutic performance is often restricted due to its short biological half-life and poor instability in the unmodified form. The present study investigated the encapsulation of l-asparaginase on a green-synthesized nanocarrier to enhance its overall therapeutic efficacy. The nanocarrier was produced utilizing citrus orange peel extract, which served simultaneously as a reducing, stabilizing, and capping material during the formation of zinc oxide-doped selenium nanoparticles (ZnO-Se-NPs). This eco-friendly synthesis method not only stabilized the nanoparticles but also incorporated naturally occurring phytochemicals, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, and carotenoids-that may contribute to additional pharmacological benefits. The synthesized l-asparaginase encapsulated ZnO-Se-NPs (ZnO-Se-Asp) nanocomposite exhibited notable anticancer activity while maintaining low cytotoxicity. The detailed characterization of the nanoparticles was carried out utilizing UV-Vis spectroscopy to confirm the presence of ZnO-Se-Asp, energy dispersive x-ray (EDX), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) for morphological and elemental analysis. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was studied to identify the functional groups, and x-ray diffraction (XRD) was performed to study the crystallinity of synthesized ZnO-Se-Asp nanocomposite. The cytotoxic potential of synthesized ZnO-Se-Asp nanocomposite was estimated using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay through the determined IC50 value, as well as its effects on the cell viability and proliferation were assessed. Finally, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and Caspase-3 activity were performed to determine oxidative stress generation and apoptotic induction. Overall, the results indicated that the green-synthesized ZnO-Se-Asp nanocomposite offers a promising platform capable of improving anticancer efficacy while offering better stability and bioavailability.

ABSTRACT Background: The role of induction chemotherapy (ICT) in locally advanced oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) remains debated, particularly in resource-limited settings. Objective: The primary objective was to evaluate the locoregional response to carboplatin- and paclitaxel-based ICT followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CTRT) in patients with locally advanced oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal SCC. The secondary objectives were to assess ICT-related adverse effects and 2-year disease-free survival and overall survival (OS). Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included eligible patients who received carboplatin (AUC5) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m 2 ) as ICT between January 2018 and December 2022. Locoregional response was categorized as complete, partial, stable, or progressive. Results: Among 97 patients, 83 (85.6%) were male and 69 (71.1%) were aged > 50 years. The oropharynx was the primary site in 60 (61.9%) patients. Of the total, 61 (62.9%) received ICT + CTRT, 22 (22.7%) received only ICT, and 14 (14.4%) received ICT followed by radiation therapy. Partial response at the primary site and neck was observed in 77 (79.4%) and 67 (69.1%) patients, respectively, while a complete response at the primary site was noted in 4 (4.1%). The median (interquartile range) OS was 16.7 (11.4) months. Grade 3-4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and mucositis occurred in 20 (20.6%), 18 (18.6%), and 35 (36.1%) patients, respectively. Conclusion: The carboplatin- and paclitaxel-based ICT demonstrated efficacy and tolerability and may serve as a feasible alternative to conventional triple-drug ICT for locally advanced head-and-neck SCC in resource-constrained settings. Prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings.

Diabetic foot complications often escalate and lead to devastating consequences, particularly lower limb amputations. This study recorded the microorganisms isolated from Major and Minor diabetic lower limb amputations over a period of four years. This retrospective observational study analysed data obtained from a tertiary care centre for diabetes in Chennai, India, from 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2024. A predominance of Gram negative microorganisms for both Major and Minor amputations were observed. Most infections were monomicrobial. Proteus mirabilis and Enterococcus spp. were most frequently isolated from Major and Minor amputations respectively. The difference between dominant pathogens isolated from Major and Minor amputations suggest complex infection dynamics within the site of infection. This study also reinforces the importance of routine microbiological surveillance. Cumulatively, these findings indicate the need for further investigation.

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) represents a transformative initiative aimed at revolutionizing healthcare delivery in India through digitizing health records and establishing an integrated digital health infrastructure. This mission addresses critical challenges in the healthcare system by providing a robust information backbone for healthcare providers, which simplifies the processes of tracking, accessing and updating patient data. By eliminating duplication and reducing errors in data collection, ABDM enhances efficiency and improves the quality of care provided to patients. Patients are empowered to create a Health ID, enabling them to share their medical records seamlessly with healthcare providers. This includes comprehensive details such as doctor appointments, diagnoses, treatments, hospitalizations and medications, ensuring that patients have access to high-quality healthcare. The integration of medical records into a single digital system not only simplifies care coordination but also reduces wait times, standardizes treatments and lowers overall healthcare costs. Furthermore, the digitization of health records allows healthcare providers to deliver more personalised and timely care, as instant access to a patient's medical history significantly improves diagnosis accuracy and treatment outcomes. The ABDM holds immense potential for enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency and transparency of health service delivery in India, ultimately promising a future where every citizen can access their health information within a unified digital health ecosystem.