Association of NFKB1 gene polymorphism (rs28362491) with levels of inflammatory biomarkers and susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy in Asian Indians

AIM To investigate the association of NFKB1 gene-94 ATTG insertion/deletion(rs28362491) polymorphism with inflammatory markers and risk of diabetic nephropathy in Asian Indians.METHODS A total of 300 subjects were recruited(100 each), normoglycemic,(NG); type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) without any complications(DM) and T2 DM with diabetic nephropathy [DM-chronic renal disease(CRD)]. Analysis was carried out by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and ELISA. Pearson's correlation, analysis of variance and logistic regression wereused for statistical analysis.RESULTS The allelic frequencies of-94 ATTG insertion/deletion were 0.655/0.345(NG), 0.62/0.38(DM) and 0.775/0.225(DM-CRD). The-94 ATTG ins allele was associated with significantly increased levels of urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(u MCP-1); u MCP-1(P = 0.026) and plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α); TNF-α(P = 0.030) and almost doubled the risk of diabetic nephropathy(OR = 1.91, 95%CI: 1.080-3.386, P = 0.025).CONCLUSION-94 ATTG ins/ins polymorphism might be associated with increased risk of developing nephropathy in Asian Indian subjects with diabetes mellitus.

Evidence-Based Practice among Critical Care Nurse’s/Midwives in Qatar

Background: Successful implementation of evidence-based research into clinical practice was determined by four core elements, self-belief, the nature and level of evidence, the conductive context into which the study is to be implemented, and organizational factors facilitating the process. Aim: The current study aimed to examine barriers influencing evidence-based practice among critical care nurses in QATAR. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was utilized for the study resulting in data collected from 278 nurses during the period of Feb-2021 to March 2021 using the Barriers to Research Utilization Scale (BTRUS). The BTRUS consisted of data on various information sources utilized by nurses for support in practice, potential barriers for evidence-based practice, and perceived skills on applying research-based evidence. Result: The most significant organizational barriers were lack of time, lack of empowerment to change practice, lack of support from colleagues in implementing research evidence, and lack of access to research articles. Self-perceived barriers were irrelevance of research evidence to current practice, studies having methodological flaws, skepticism about research findings, a large amount of research evidence, and inability to understand statistics. The Nurse’s age, years of nursing practice, academic attainment, and organizational position influenced self-reported barriers and utilization of sources of Evidence. Conclusion: Organizational support, improved self-belief, and evidence-based practice expertise may reduce barriers to implementing research evidence in clinical Practice.

A novel D(−)-lactic acid-inducible promoter regulated by the GntR-family protein D-LldR of Pseudomonas fluorescens

Lactic acid has two stereoisomers of D(−)-and L(+)-forms,both of which are important monomers of biodegradable plastic,poly-lactic acid.In this study,a novel D-lactate inducible system was identified in Pseudomonas fluorescens A506,partially characterized and tested as biosensor.The D-lactate catabolic operon(lldP-dld-II)was negatively regulated through the inversely transcribed D-lldR(encoding a GntR-type regulator),where the repression is relieved by addition of D-lactate.The derepression was specific to D-lactate and marginally affected by L-lactate.The D-LldR-responsive operator,showing dyad symmetry and separated by one base,was located between+11 and+27 from the transcription start site of the lldP-dld-II operon.By site-directed mutagenesis,a motif with a dyad symmetry(AATTGGTAtTACCAATT),present in the upstream region of lldP,was identified as essential for the binding of LldR.D-lactate biosensors were developed by connecting the upregulation by D-lactate to a green fluorescent readout.About^6.0-fold induction by 100mM D-lactate was observed compared to Llactate.