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Prabhu, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Prabhu, M..

4 recordsLinked to original sources
bioRxiv2025

Biofortification of green seaweed Ulva with Vitamin B12 using Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Lactococcus lactis

One of the main causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency is insufficient dietary intake, especially among vegetarians and vegans. Seaweeds are emerging as sustainable biomass for producing value added products, including nutritionally enriched supplements. This study investigates the biofortification of green seaweed Ulva sp. with Vitamin B12 via co-fermentation using Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Lactococcus lactis, aiming to develop a probiotic supplement. Ulva sp. was harvested from Goan shores, and the bacterial strains were obtained from cheese and cultivated for use in fermentation. The rationale behind this study was to integrate the de novo synthesis of Vitamin B12 with the conversion of Vitamin B2 into 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole (DMB), leading to higher production of Vitamin B12, with the BluB enzyme serving as the key connecting factor. Vitamin B12 in fermented Ulva sp. was quantified using HPLC with a C18 column at 361 nm, with acetonitrile and water as the mobile phase. The highest concentration was observed after 72 hours of fermentation, reaching 19.6 g/mL, approximately five times higher than the control. These findings highlight the potential of Ulva sp. as a substrate for Vitamin B12 production through bacterial fermentation and its promising application as a probiotic supplement.

microbiology↗
bioRxiv2024

Building capacity among caregivers for managing children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus through a structured Interprofessional training program

BackgroundEffective management of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children necessitates not only medical care but also substantial involvement from caregivers, who often encounter psychological, financial, and emotional challenges. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a structured educational program for caregivers of children with T1DM, facilitated by an interprofessional team. MethodsThis mixed-method study, conducted from May 15 to August 15, 2023, comprised two parts. First, a structured educational module was developed based on a needs assessment from semi-structured interviews with 20 caregivers. The module was created in English, Hindi, and Khortha (the local language of Deoghar, Jharkhand, India) and validated by a panel of 10 experts (CVI = 0.83). It was delivered using audio-visual aids, live demonstrations, posters, and booklets. The programs effectiveness was evaluated through a pre-post-test questionnaire. ResultsThe interviews revealed themes such as misunderstandings of treatment plans, distress from frequent insulin administration, fear of glucose monitoring, financial burdens, and psychological stress. Data from 68 of the 75 caregivers who participated in the educational program were analyzed. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated a significant improvement in caregiver knowledge and management practices (P < 0.001), with a large effect size (Cohens d = 3.2). ConclusionThis study demonstrates that structured educational interventions can significantly enhance caregivers knowledge and practices in managing T1DM. Multidisciplinary education and support are crucial for addressing the emotional and financial burdens caregivers face, ultimately improving the well-being of both caregivers and children.

scientific communication and education↗
bioRxiv2021

SARS-CoV-2 Infects Syncytiotrophoblast and Activates Inflammatory Responses in the Placenta

SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy leads to an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although the placenta itself can be a target of virus infection, most neonates are virus free and are born healthy or recover quickly. Here, we investigated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the placenta from a cohort of women who were infected late during pregnancy and had tested nasal swab positive for SARS-CoV-2 by qRT-PCR at delivery. SARS-CoV-2 genomic and subgenomic RNA was detected in 23 out of 54 placentas. Two placentas with high virus content were obtained from mothers who presented with severe COVID-19 and whose pregnancies resulted in adverse outcomes for the fetuses, including intrauterine fetal demise and a preterm delivered baby still in newborn intensive care. Examination of the placental samples with high virus content showed efficient SARS-CoV-2 infection, using RNA in situ hybridization to detect genomic and replicating viral RNA, and immunohistochemistry to detect SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. Infection was restricted to syncytiotrophoblast cells that envelope the fetal chorionic villi and are in direct contact with maternal blood. The infected placentas displayed massive infiltration of maternal immune cells including macrophages into intervillous spaces, potentially contributing to inflammation of the tissue. Ex vivo infection of placental cultures with SARS-CoV-2 or with SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein pseudotyped lentivirus targeted mostly syncytiotrophoblast and in rare events endothelial cells. Infection was reduced by using blocking antibodies against ACE2 and against Neuropilin 1, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 may utilize alternative receptors for entry into placental cells.

cell biology↗