Browsing by Author "Alok Singh"

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A Real-world Pilot Observational Study of Neuropathic Pain Medications in Older Adult Patients in North India
(Bentham Science Publishers, 2022) Upinder Kaur; Vandana Dwivedi; Alok Singh; Amit Singh; Arun Raj Pandey; Kumudini Acharya; Sankha Shubhra Chakrabarti
Aims: This pilot study aimed to make head-to-head comparisons of multiple classes of drugs used in the management of neuropathic pain in North Indian older adult patients pre-senting to the geriatric clinic of a tertiary medical institution. Background: Chronic neuropathic pain is a condition affecting nearly one third of older adults. There is paucity of data on head-to-head comparisons of drugs used in neuropathic pain in older adults. Real world studies may be a useful tool to study diverse neuropathic pain medications in this population. Objectives: The study objective was to measure NPRS (numeric pain rating scale), GDS (geri-atric depression scale), IADL (instrumental activities of daily living), HMSE (Hindi mental state examination) scores at baseline, and 4-and 12-week follow-ups in all older adult patients receiving neuropathic pain medications. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted involving older adult patients ≥ 50 years of age with painful peripheral neuropathy of any etiology (n=60; mean age 63±8.4 years). The patients received either gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, amitriptyline, or me-thyl-cobalamin complex. NPRS, GDS, IADL, and HMSE scores were measured at baseline and post-therapy. Results: All groups except amitriptyline showed statistically significant improvement in NPRS at 4 weeks and 12 weeks compared to baseline. 30% response rate at 4 weeks was maximum for pregabalin (72%) and 50% response rate at 12 weeks was maximum for gabapentin (58%). Numerically maximum improvement in depression was seen with duloxetine. There was no statistically significant difference in the measured parameters between the drug groups across time. Mean daily dose was 172 mg (gabapentin group), 75 mg (pregabalin group) and 20 mg (duloxetine group). The adverse drug reaction rate was 10.5%. Conclusion: All drug groups showed beneficial effects on neuropathic pain at much lower doses than those described in the literature. The effectiveness at these low doses and the lower rates of adverse effects sets the foundation for larger studies in the future in diverse ethnic and aged populations. © 2022 Bentham Science Publishers.
A symmetrical indexing scheme for decagonal quasicrystals analogous to Miller-Bravais indexing of hexagonal crystals
(2007) S. Ranganathan; E.A. Lord; N.K. Mukhopadhyay; Alok Singh
The problems of redundancy and superfluous indices in indexing the planes and axes in a decagonal quasicrystal are considered, using a scheme of five coplanar vectors in the quasiperiodic plane and one perpendicular vector. Of all the indexing schemes in use, this scheme offers the maximum advantage. An analogy is drawn to the hexagonal system using Miller-Bravais indices. Based on this, a symmetry-based indexing system for decagonal phases is devised that follows a simplified approximate zone law analogous to the exact zone law for the hexagonal case. The indices based on this scheme will be designated as 'Frank indices'. High-symmetry electron diffraction zone-axis patterns as well as powder X-ray diffraction patterns are indexed using Frank indices and compared with those of other indexing schemes. © 2007 International Union of Crystallography - all rights reserved.
A therapeutic approach to target mitochondrial dysfunction using molecular docking studies: Screening of natural drugs for oral carcinoma
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2018) Manish Singh; Manish Tripathi; Alok Singh; Chandra Azad; Indrajeet Gambhir; Brijesh Kumar; Suresh Purohit
Background: Mitochondrial dysfunction is the major cause of various types of cancer, leading to death worldwide. The present study investigated the in silico binding potential of natural flavonoids and essential oils with human cyclophilin D (CyPD) protein. CyPD protein is a major molecular marker for apoptosis and has been reported to be elevated in oral carcinoma. Methods: PubChem database was used to check the efficacy of different active phytoconstituents (kaempferol, quercetin, eugenol, oxyresveratrol, tanshinone 2a, catechin, epicatechin, cinnamaldehyde, and emodin). These compounds were used as ligands to check their potential as anticancer agents against the inner mitochondrial membrane protein, CyPD. Docking studies were performed with the help of Discovery Studio 2.5 and Autodock. Emodin was used as a reference inhibitor to compare the results. Results: The binding energy (B.E.) of the reference inhibitor (known/established drug) emodin was observed-28.9 kcal/mol while novel inhibitors (catechin, cinnamaldehyde, epicatechin, eugenol, kaempferol, oxyresveratrol, quercetin, and tanshinone 2a) exhibited a range from-51.51 to-5.89 kcal/mol. Quercetin, kaempferol, and epicatechin (B.E.:-51.51,-34.79, and-30.62 kcal/mol, respectively) showed strong affinity as compared to reference inhibitor (B.E.:-28.9 kcal/mol). Conclusion: Quercetin, kaempferol, and epicatechin can be used as lead inhibitors against targeting CyPD. © 2018 Pharmacognosy Magazine. Published by Wolters Kluwer.
Budesonide: A promising candidate therapeutic for early COVID-19
(Elsevier Ltd, 2021) Shailesh Kumar Patel; Rakesh Kumar; Jigyasa Rana; Aditya Agrawal; Alok Singh; Adesh Kumar
[No abstract available]
Detection of porcine enteric picornaviruses from faecal samples of Indian pigs
(Springer, 2022) Shailesh Kumar Patel; Aditya Agrawal; Mamta Pathak; Alok Singh; Rajat Varshney; Jigyasa Rana; G. Saikumar
Porcine enteric picornaviruses often consequence diarrhoea and nervous complications in pig and pose enormous loss to pig farming. The present study expands the limited Indian data of porcine enteric picornaviruses which is needed for the early implementation of control measures and to check further outbreaks. A total of 398 porcine faecal samples from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand state of India were screened for porcine teschovirus (PTV), porcine sapelovirus (PSV) and enterovirus G (EV-G) by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using 5′UTR-specific primers. The prevalence of PTV, PSV and EV-G was found to be 12.81% (51/398), 5.77% (23/398) and 24.37% (97/398), respectively. EV-G was relatively higher in circulation in Indian pigs among all the included enteric picornaviruses. Conversely, the concurrent infection of more than one enteric picornavirus was also frequent. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Indian Virological Society.
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) inhibits steroidogenesis and induces mitochondria-ROS mediated apoptosis in rat ovarian granulosa cells
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2019) Anima Tripathi; Vivek Pandey; Alakh N. Sahu; Alok Singh; Pawan K. Dubey
Increased oxidative stress (OS) due to ubiquitous exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) can affect the quality of oocytes by inducing apoptosis and hampering granulosa cell mediated steroidogenesis. This study was carried out to investigate whether DEHP induced OS affects steroidogenesis and induces apoptosis in rat ovarian granulosa cells. OS was induced by exposing granulosa cells to various concentrations of DEHP (0.0, 100, 200, 400 and 800 μM) for 72 h in vitro. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress (OS), mitochondrial membrane potential, cellular senescence, apoptosis, steroid hormones (estradiol & progesterone) and gene expression were analyzed. The results showed that an effective dose of DEHP (400 μg) significantly increased OS by elevating the ROS level, mitochondrial membrane potential, and β-galactosidase activity with higher mRNA expression levels of apoptotic genes (Bax, cytochrome-c and caspase3) and a lower level of an anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl2) as compared to the control. Further, DEHP significantly (P > 0.05) decreased the level of steroid hormones (estradiol and progesterone) in a conditioned medium and this effect was reciprocated with a lower expression (P > 0.05) of steroidogenic responsive genes (Cyp11a1, Cyp19A1, Star, ERβ1) in treated granulosa cells. Furthermore, co-treatment with N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) rescues the effects of DEHP on OS, ROS, β-galactosidase levels and gene expression activities. Altogether, these results suggest that DEHP induces oxidative stress via ROS generation and inhibits steroid synthesis via modulating steroidogenic responsive genes, which leads to the induction of apoptosis through the activation of Bax/Bcl-2-cytochrome-c and the caspase-3-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in rat granulosa cells. © 2019 The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique.
Economical synthesis and optimization for few layers graphene by solid carbon sources: domestic CVD technique
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2025) Misba Hussain; Pawan Kumar Soni; Alok Singh
Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is widely regarded as an effective method for synthesizing high-quality graphene; however, its widespread industrial adoption is limited by high operational costs, complex instrumentation, and scalability challenges. In this study, we present a cost-effective and scalable approach for the synthesis of various graphene-based nanostructures, including few-layer graphene, carbon nanofibers, multilayer graphene (graphene islands), and flower-like graphene sheet morphologies, using a domestic CVD setup and a solid carbon source composed of a naphthalene/camphor mixture. The process optimization was guided by three critical parameters: precursor composition, the axial distance (δ) between the precursor and the substrate, and the carrier gas composition (Ar: H2 ratio). Experimental results demonstrated that a precursor mixture containing 10 wt% naphthalene and 90 wt% camphor, positioned at a distance of δ = 25 cm from the substrate, and processed under an Ar: H2 gas flow ratio of 9:1, yielded graphene with an I2D /IG intensity ratio of 0.6 in Raman spectra, indicative of few-layer graphene formation. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) was employed to characterize the internal lattice structure of the deposited graphene, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided insights into the surface morphology of the synthesized carbon nanostructures. Additionally, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was utilized to identify surface functional groups associated with the deposited graphene. The outcomes of this study validate the feasibility of an economical and efficient solid-phase CVD method for producing few-layer graphene, offering promising potential for application in diverse engineering and technological domains. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025.
Effect of Methanolic Extract of Phyllanthus niruri on Leptin Level in Animal Model of Diabetes Mellitus
(Oriental Scientific Publishing Company, 2019) Anuj Kumar; Akhilesh Kumar Rana; Amit Singh; Alok Singh
To study the effect of methanolic extract of Phyllanthus niruri on animal model of Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Mellitus was induced in rats by injecting Streptozotocin (60mg/ kg) intraperitonealy. Blood glucose was measured on day 3by GOD-POD method. Rats having fasting blood glucose >250 mg/dl were further selected for study. Four groups were created i.e. Control, Control+Streptozotocin, Streptozotocin+ Metformin(75mg/kg) and Streptozotocin+ extract of P. niruri (250mg/kg). Each group was consisting of 6 rats of either sex. Metformin and experimentalextract were administered for 21 days. Blood Glucose was measured on day 7 and 21. Triglyceride, Cholesterol and Leptin level were also measure by commercially available kit. Anti-oxidant potential was assessed by estimating extent of Lipid peroxidation (LPO) by Malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric oxide (NO), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione (GSH) in four different tissues i.e. Liver, Kidney, Pancreas, Muscle on day 21. Unpaired and paired student’s t-test were applied for statistical analysis using SPSS Software. The extract of P. niruri showed significant decrease in blood glucose level on day 21 (p-0.04). The treatment didn’t show significant lowering of Leptin and Cholesterol level however Triglyceride level was significantly reduced (p-0.05). The treatment group showed improvement in oxidative stress by increasing SOD and GSH and decreasing LPO and NO activity. The study showed anti-hyperglycemic and anti-oxidative properties of methanolic extract of P.niruri. © 2019 Oriental Scientific Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Genetic Characterization and Pathology of Porcine Teschovirus (PTV) in India
(Agricultural Research Communication Centre, 2024) Shailesh Kumar Patel; Jigyasa Rana; Mamta Pathak; Alok Singh; Aditya Agrawal; G. Saikumar
Background: The porcine teschovirus (PTV) is common swine pathogen which causes a wide range of illnesses ranging from asymptomatic infection to acute fatal encephalomyelitis, diarrhoea and pneumonia. Despite of its economical importance very limited studies are available on the pathology of PTV. The present study was conducted with the objective to investigate the PTV infection and associated pathology in piglets. Methods: A total of 78 piglets below 3 months of age were necropsied and representative tissue samples along with intestinal content were collected for histopathological examination and molecular investigation during April 2019 to November 2020. The 5' UTR region of PTV was amplified via RT-PCR and further confirmed by sequencing. Thereafter, genetic characterization of the Indian PTV isolate was done on the basis of 5' UTR gene. Result: A total of seven out of 78 cases were found positive for the PTV. On necropsy the intestinal wall was thinned and distended with yellowish coloured diarrhoeic content. Congestion of serosal and mucosal vessels along with severe meningeal congestion was observed. Microscopic lesions included congestion of mucosal vessels and destruction of villous structure of jejunum along with perivascular cuffing, focal gliosis, neuronophagia, congestion of meningeal and cerebral vessels and interstitial pneumonia. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate PTV/India/IVRI-381/2020 (MW022462) and PTV/India/IVRI-1093/2020 (MW022463) were clustered with PTV-13 strain wild boar/WB2C-TV/2011/HUN (JQ429405) and PTV-2 strain Vir 6711-12/83 (AF296107) of Hungary and Germany respectively. This study reported the genotypic and pathological investigation of PTV from Indian piglets. Further explorative surveillance along with studies in suitable cell lines and animal model will pave the way for better understanding of PTV among Indian pigs. © 2024 Agricultural Research Communication Centre. All rights reserved.
Monkeypox: A global threat to domestic and wild animals – Correspondence
(Elsevier Ltd, 2022) Nikhil K. C; Jigyasa Rana; Shailesh Kumar Patel; Aditya Agrawal; Kumar Govil; Alok Singh; Megha Katare Pandey; Dhruv Nitinkumar Desai; Sita Prasad Tiwari
[No abstract available]
Pathology and Molecular Characterization of Porcine Sapelovirus in Indian Pigs
(Agricultural Research Communication Centre, 2023) Shailesh Kumar Patel; Mamta Pathak; Alok Singh; Aditya Agrawal; Jigyasa Rana; G. Saikumar
Background: The porcine sapelovirus (PSV) is a small, non-enveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense, RNA virus of the family Picornaviridae. The PSV infections in pigs have been found associated with diarrhoea, polioencephalomyelitis, pneumonia and reproductive disorders with a high morbidity rate. Despite of its economical importance very few studies are available on the pathology of PSV. The present study was conducted with the aim to investigate the PSV infection and associated pathology in Indian pigs. Methods: Tissue samples along with intestinal content were collected from a total of 78 necropsied cases for histopathological examination and molecular investigation during April 2019 to August 2020. The amplification of 5́ UTR region of PSV was carried out via RT-PCR and confirmed by sequencing. The Genetic characterization of Indian isolate of the PSV was done on the basis of viral 5́ UTR gene. Result: A total of eight out of 78 cases were found positive for the PSV. Catarrhal and haemorrhagic enteritis, thickening and clouding of brain meninges along with congestion of brain and pneumonia was observed as common gross lesions. Microscopic lesions included perivascular cuffing, focal gliosis, neuronophagia, congestion of meningeal and cerebral vessels, interstitial pneumonia, inflammatory changes in the intestinal mucosa and sloughing of villi. The genetic characterization revealed maximum identity of 96.89% with PSV-1 strain PSV-46-V (LC508233) and PSV-1 strain PSV-26-B (LC508232) of Zambia. This study reported the pathological and molecular investigation of PSV from Indian pigs. Further explorative surveillance along with experimental studies in suitable animal model and cell lines are highly warranted for better understanding of PSV pathology in Indian pigs. © 2023 Agricultural Research Communication Centre. All rights reserved.
Petrographic and geochemical characterization of coals from Tiru valley, Nagaland, NE India
(2012) Prakash Singh; M. Singh; Alok Singh; A. Naik
In Tiru valley region of Mon district coals occur in Barail Formation and are of Oligocene age. This study is the first investigation on the petrographic and geochemical characterization of these coals. These thinly bedded seams (<2 m) need systematic exploration for proper evaluation of the resource.The coals are bright to moderately bright in appearance and at places look moderately dull. The study reveals that Tiru valley coals are sub-bituminous to bituminous-D in rank. The chemical study reveals that these coals are perhydrous in nature with moderately high volatile matter content. The sulphur content was probably increased with pyrite inclusion as the most abundant mineral. Vitrinite is the most dominant maceral group constituting nearly 98% of all the macerals while liptinite and inertinite occur in very low concentration. Facies-critical models used to decipher the paleodepositional environment suggest that these coals evolved under wet moor with moderately high flooding in the paleomire which allowed the sulphate reducing bacteria to thrive.
Petrological investigations of oligocene coals from foreland basin of northeast India
(Multi-Science Publishing Co. Ltd, 2013) Alok Singh; Mahendra Singh; Prakash Singh
The results of the petrological investigations carried out on coal samples from the Oligocene deposits of Northeastern India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland) have been discussed. These deposits occur in the Tikak Parbat Formation (Barail Group) and were probably deposited in the foreland basin. Petrographically, these coals are enriched in vitrinite macerals (65.8-96.6 vol %, mean 87.2 vol %) with variable concentrations of liptinite macerals (2.7-35.4 vol %, mean 11.9 vol %). They contain low concentration of inertinite (nil-3.3 vol %, mean 0.9 vol %) macerals. The microlithotype is dominated by vitrite (61.5-100 vol %, mean 90.8 vol %). An elevated volatile matter (44.15 - 60.20 wt %, mean 52.90 wt %, d.a.f. basis) and reflectance values (VRr 0.39-0.61%) put their rank as sub-bituminous type 'C' to high volatile bituminous type 'C'. The GI and TPI values favour telmatic conditions of origin with high tree density and prolonged wet conditions. This is in agreement with the paleoenvironment interpreted from the vitrinite and liptinite-rich microlithotypes, which suggested a forest and reed facies. However, the presence of inertinite in some coal seams indicates tectonic upheavals / regression of the sea resulting to periodic and short span dryness of the basin.