Editorial

The genomic structure of coronavirus is non-segmented positive strand RNA (+ssRNA) with nucleocapsid. It has single stranded genomes. It has four main structural proteins as spike glycoprotein, envelop glycoprotein, membrane glycoprotein and nucleocapsid protein. Several other accessory proteins are also present. Spike glycoprotein facilitates binding to host cells by attraction of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in lower respiratory tract in synergy with TMPRSS2 (transmembrane serine protease 2). The furin cleavage site of virus is essential for breakdown of Spike glycoprotein and it determines the entry of virus in host cells. The nucleocapsid protein is localized in endoplasmic reticulum. It is bound to nucleic acid material of the virus. It is responsible for viral genome and r...

A condition with recurring signs and symptoms of indigestion is functional dyspepsia. It is common problem across the globe reported to be 11%-29.2% (Mahadeva and Goh,2006). Changing lifestyle and induction of food items with lots of acid and salts aggravates the condition. Carbonated, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks further vitiate the problems of indigestion. Charak Vimanasthana (C.Vi.) 2/3 apparently mentions about the ratio of solid and liquid food in proper quantity to avoid harmful effects raised from food. C.Vi 2/9 hints about the types of food and drinks to be taken. Even anger, stress, anxiety, confusion, fear etc. are suggested to avoid during intake of food and drinks. Anger, stress and anxiety are related with increased cortisol. Gastric acid secretion increases due to increa...

Sexuality is not only limited to progeny, but is a beautiful way for social intimacy recognized for human life. It is highly influenced by culture. Sexual expression sway around beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviors generated from culture. Still, physiology and psychology are pivotal. Psychologically, stress, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, feeling of guilt, concerns about performance etc. are common problem in both male and female. These all are responsible for the frazzled status mind resulting in diminishing libido. American’s Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) considers arousal, not only as a physical genital phenomenon, but subjective excitement/pleasure. Reasons are obvious that psychological treatment of depression inc...

Srimadbhagwad Gita clearly mentions anger as door for hell. Even Charak Samhita refers anger to be avoided by wise people. Modern medical science deals it as feeling of annoyance, displeasure and hostility. Excessive anger is related with many of psychological problems including attention deficit disorder, conduct disorder, psychotic disorder, personality disorder, bipolar disorder etc. Bipolar disorder is easily identified with extreme shifts in mood. It may be resulted from changing neurochemicals due to various reasons viz., altered brain structure, genetics, environmental etc. A study has observed structural brain abnormalities in prefrontal cortex while another study finds family history responsible for affective disorder. Limbic and extrapyramidal circuit is involved in this case fo...

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene is capable of mutations of actual DNA codes by forming a fusion gene. It is already related with various types carcinoma. Recently, it was published online on https://www.news-medical.net/ (26th May) that ALK gene variant facilitates the resistance to weight gain. It means lacking or masking of ALK variants may lead to new frontiers against the obesity. The study was focused on identification of genetic susceptibility to obesity to physiologically healthy thin individuals based on BMI. The study was done on Drosophila and mice. In Drosphila, decrease in triglyceride levels were observed after deleting the RNAi mediated ALK. In mice, marked resistance to diet and leptin-mutation induced obesity was observed after deletion of ALK. The mechanism is sugge...

The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) announced on 11 February 2020 the name of new virus as ‘severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). On same date, World Health Organization declared the disease name as COVID-19. Millions of people are affected by COVID-19 across the globe. Study shows the shape of coronavirus virions as spherical to pleomorphic, means assumed to take various shapes. Projected glycoproteins are present as studs on envelop of this virus. These glycoproteins are responsible for attachment with host cells through Aminopeptidase-N and Sialic acid containing receptors. These glycoproteins carry antigens like 229E and OC43. Impacts of these antigens are totally different; however mechanism of interference with genome is having similarit...

Immunity means adequate biological defense to fight untoward invasion to keep body in balanced state. It is barrier or eliminator of many of pathogens entering in normal physiological bodies. It may be innate or adaptive. Innate is non-specific mechanism of defense which works immediately coming in contact of antigen. While adaptive one is antigen-specific defense working through recognition of specified antigen. Genes play an important role in immunity development through guiding the specific function of body and that affects immunity. Gene expression is related to roadmap of regulatory networks in immune cells. Studies indicate that transcriptional regulation is associated with control of gene expression in various immune cells, both adaptive and innate. RNA polymerases are receiving si...

Viruses are autonomous infectious complexes consisting of protein and RNA or DNA genome. Enveloped viruses have lipid layers in addition to protein and nucleic acid.  They lack cellular structure and metabolic processes, but they are obligatory pathogens utilizing host’s cellular molecules and structures for their survival and propagation. Recently in Wuhan, China spread of Corona virus has taken the form of pandemics. The chances of killings by this virus are in millions. Chinese reports show it in controlled manner. Deaths started in Europe and USA. A joint-mission by WHO-China conducted from 16th to 24th February published findings as 78,959 cases in China while 4351 cases in 49 other countries. WHO estimates higher risks at global level. It is not just an epidemic, but is taking the s...

rain plays an important role in maintaining the health as physical, mental and social well-being, revealed by many researches. An article published in Brain Plasticity online on 26th December 2019 exhibits contribution of Yoga in alimentation of brain health. The work is summarized on positive effects for brain structure and function from Yoga practices, assessed through imaging techniques. The ultimate aim of Yoga is control of thought in mind or comprehension of Atman. Five kinds of thought-waves are mentioned in Patanjali Yogasutra viz., right knowledge, wrong knowledge, verbal delusion, sleep and memory. Different postures in practices of Yoga are associated with stretching of muscles and stimulation of nerves of specific area of the body. Stimulation of nerves is directly linked to pe...

Rigveda 10/129/1-4 cites the presence of desire before the existence of life. In present context, desire is taken with reference to universality of energy. Rule of nature always works on phenomenon of energy balance of various forms. Synchronization of differnt forms of energy is important for better functioning. Even every single living cell follows the same rule. Human brain is not apart from this. The principle of consciousness in Indian philosophy deals about the unification of energy of mind and soul with universal energy. It means attaining the capabilities to synchronize the brainwaves of specified stimulus with frequency of universal energy. Consciousness is state of cognition of self and materials in surrounding or sometimes sensations of presence of any form of energy in contacts...