Background
Few COVID-19 vaccines were anticipated in India in early 2021. However, little was known about COVID-19 vaccination acceptance among the public. . We conducted a nationwide study to understand the public’s perception about COVID-19 vaccines in December 2020.
Method
An online survey was deployed using a multi-item validated questionnaire via social media websites and networking platforms for adults in India. . We asked participants about vaccination willingness, concerns about vaccination, and their sociodemographic characteristics.
Results
Nationwide, 1638 participants from 27 states/union territories took the survey where the majority of the participant were males (55%), 18–30 years old (52%), urban dwellers (69%), college-educated (81%), without a history of COVID-19 infection (92%). More than a fifth were either unaware of the vaccines (20.63%) or were not sure if they will get the vaccine (27%), and 10% refused to obtain the vaccine. Almost 70% of the population had concerns regarding the vaccines. . Statistically significant differences (p<0.01) in awareness about vaccine and acceptability were observed based on age, educational qualifications, and employment status.
Conclusion
While the majority of Indians would accept the vaccine, given the large population of India, even a small proportion would translate to millions of unvaccinated individuals Strategic measures and policy decisions to enhance the rate of COVID-19 vaccination should be continuously planned and implemented in India.
:
Nanomedicines exhibit unbelievable capability in overcoming the hurdles faced in biological applications.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene-family nanomaterials and fullerenes are a class of engineered nanoparticles that have
emerged as a new option for possible use in drug/gene delivery for life-threatening diseases. Their adaptability to
pharmaceutical applications have opened new vistas for biomedical applications.
Successful applications of this family of engineered nanoparticles in various fields may not support its use in medicine due
to inconsistent data on toxicity as well as the lack of a centralized toxicity database. Inconsistent toxicological studies and
lack of mechanistic understanding have been the reasons for less understanding of their toxicological aspects. These
nanoparticles when underivatized or pristine are considered as safe however less reactive. The derivatized forms or
functionalization changes their chemistry significantly to modify their biological effects including toxicity. They can cause
acute and long term injuries in tissues by penetration through the blood-air barrier, blood-alveolus barrier, blood-brain
barrier, and blood-placenta barrier etc. and by accumulating in the lung, liver, and spleen etc. The toxicological effects are
manifested through inflammatory response, DNA damage, apoptosis, autophagy and necrosis. Other factors that largely
influence the toxicity of carbon nanotubes, graphenes and fullerenes are the concentration, functionalization, dimensional
and surface topographical factors.
Thus better understanding of toxicity profile of CNTs, graphene-family nanomaterials and fullerenes in humans, animals
and the environment is of significant importance, to improve their biological safety, to facilitate their wide biological
application and for the successful commercial application. The exploration of appropriate cell lines to investigate specific
receptors and intracellular targets as well as chronic toxicity beyond the proof-of-concept is required.
Objective: Metabolic disorders are of growing concern with increasing quest for herbal medicines as treatment option. The current study is planned to screen ten herbal extracts, prepared from parts of chosen six herbal plants, to compare and investigate their antihyperglycemic and anorexic potential.Methods: Qualitative phytochemical investigation was done as per standard procedures. Acute oral toxicity study performed as per OECD 420 guideline. Glucose Tolerance Test (method optimization) was performed to select appropriate glucose load to induce hyperglycemia. Antihyperglycemic activity was evaluated by Glucose Tolerance Test (single dose and multiple dose study) and anorexic potential was screened by food intake measurement using Wistar rats.Results: All herbs were found safe in acute oral toxicity study. Glucose Tolerance Test method optimization study signaled use of 3 g/kg glucose load for induction of hyperglycemia in single and multiple dose studies. In single dose study, L. acutangula fruit extract and in multiple dose study, S. melongena, M. oleifera & R. communis extracts were found to produce significant glucose lowering effect as compared to glucose control group. Results of food intake measurement showed significant appetite suppression with extracts of W. somnifera, S. melongena, M. oleifera & R. communis. Conclusion: Present study throws light on the effectiveness of experimental herbal extracts as antihyperglycemic and anorexic agents. This also, helps in identifying potent indigenous herbs for further study.
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