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Drugs mimicking cigarette smoke may help Covid-19 therapy: Study

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 Researchers have identified two drugs that mimic the effect of chemicals in cigarette smoke and reduce the ability of SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus causing Covid-19, to enter cells.

The two drugs — 6-formylindolo(3,2-b)carbazole (FICZ) and omeprazole (OMP) mimic cigarette smoke’s effects to bind to a receptor in mammalian cells that inhibits production of ACE2 proteins, a process that appears to reduce the ability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The findings appear in the journal Scientific Reports.

FICZ is a derivative of the amino acid tryptophan, while OMP is a medication already widely used in the treatment of acid reflux and peptic ulcers.

Something of a paradox exists with respect to smoking cigarettes and Covid-19. Active smoking is associated with increased severity of disease, but at the same time, many reports have suggested lower numbers of Covid cases amongst smokers than amongst non-smokers.

“We must stress the presence of strong evidence showing that smoking increases the severity of Covid-19,” said Keiji Tanimoto of Hiroshima University’s Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine. “But the mechanism we discovered here is worth further investigation as a potential tool to fight SARS-CoV-2 infections,” Tanimoto added.

It is known that cigarette smoke contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These can bind to and activate aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHRs).

The researchers wanted to investigate the effect of drugs that activate AHR on expression of the genes that control production of the ACE2 protein — the infamous receptor protein on the surface of many cell types that works like a lock that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is able to pick. After binding the virus to the ACE2 protein, it can then enter and infect the cell.

The scientists found that those cells originating in the oral cavity, lungs and liver had the highest ACE2 expression. These high-ACE2-expression cells were then subjected to various doses of cigarette-smoke extract for 24 hours.

Further, using RNA sequencing analysis, they found that the cigarette smoke extract and these two drugs — all of which act as activators of AHR — are able to suppress the expression of ACE2 in mammalian cells, and by doing so, reduce the ability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to enter the cell.

Based on the findings in the lab, the team is now proceeding with pre-clinical and clinical trials on the drugs as a novel anti-Covid-19 therapy.

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Ajay Devgn, Jackie Shroff’s Singham Again Climax Scene LEAKED

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Ajay Devgn, Jackie Shroff's Singham Again Climax Scene LEAKED

The anticipation for Singham Again, directed by Rohit Shetty and starring Ajay Devgn in the lead role, is high ahead of its release. Several viral pictures and videos from the shoot have also raised the excitement of fans. The makers have promised that the film, a part of the popular Singham franchise, will deliver high-octane action and gripping storyline. Now, another video from the film’s shoot in Kashmir has been leaked on social media.

In the now-viral clip, it looks like Ajay Devgn arrested Jackie Shroff, who will be seen as the villain in Singham Again. Jackie’s character looks furious as he walks with Singham.

In May 2024, a behind-the-scenes video from the film’s shoot in Srinagar was also leaked. The clip showed Ajay in a choreographed fistfight with Jackie. They were spotted exchanging punches at a public place, with a crowd gathered in the background to witness the shoot.

A few weeks back, filmmaker Rohit Shetty shared his experience of shooting for Singham Again, with Ajay and Jackie in Kashmir. On his official Instagram account, the director had shared a video which gives a glimpse of the fun they had during the shoot. Besides several behind-the-pictures of the cast and makers, the clip also features photos of snow-capped mountains, Dal Lake and the streets of the picturesque location.

Rohit said that after the abrogation of Article 370, Kashmir is ‘peaceful’. He also called it “Naye Bharat Ka Naya Kashmir.”

The filmmaker tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as the official Instagram account of Home Ministry and wrote, “Had the most amazing and emotional schedule. Thank you for the tremendous love Kashmir.”

Directed by Rohit Shetty, Singham Again also stars Arjun Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Ranveer Singh among others. It is the third installment of Rohit’s cop franchise.

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Nagpur: Man Pelts Stone At Banner With PM Narendra Modi’s Pic; Congress Leader

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Nagpur: A video has surfaced on the internet in which it can be seen that a man is throwing stones at the banner with the photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The viral video is said to have shot in Maharashtra’s Nagpur, where a man who is in his 30s can be seen throwing stones at the poster of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The video has been shared by Gujarat Congress leader

The video has been shared by Gujarat Congress leader Hitendra Pithadiya. Hitendra Pithadiya is the Chairman of the SC Department of the Gujarat Congress and also the former National Coordinator of the AICC.

Hitendra Pithadiya shared the video and criticised PM Modi

Hitendra Pithadiya shared the video and said, “So much hatred towards Narendra Modi in Nagpur!” It can be seen in the video that the man is throwing stones at the banner of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which is installed at a bus stop in Nagpur.

The poster was put up at the Chandramani Nagar bus stop

The poster was put up at the Chandramani Nagar bus stop in Nagpur. The man who is donning a white shirt is throwing stones in fit of rage at the Prime Minister.

A few onlookers were also seen filming the incident

Many people are seen standing and watching the man throw stones at the Prime Minister’s banner. A few onlookers were also seen filming the incident, which took place in broad daylight in front of a massive crowd. Traffic is also seen at a standstill and people are seen watching the man indulge in the act.

The banner is promoting Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra

Nobody comes forward to stop the man from performing the shameful act. The banner that is put up at the bus stop is the one promoting the Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra.

The Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is being held by BJP

The Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is being held by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) across the nation. The yatra kicked off on November 21 and will continue till January 26, 2024. Hitendra Pithadiya was in the news recently, allegedly for sharing an obscene image of Ram Temple priest.

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Mumbai: ‘Hospitals Crippled Due To BMC’s Neglect’, City Cong Launches Attack

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The BMC’s healthcare system has crippled as the tendering process of essential medical supplies and amenities for its hospitals is pending for the past one year due to the administration’s negligence, former Congress corporator Ashraf Azmi has alleged.

Congress corporators raise issue

Along with Azmi, addressing the media on the issue of BMC hospitals on Tuesday were former Congress corporators Sufian Vanu, Mohsin Haider, Asif Zakaria, Virendra Chaudhary, Sheetal Mhatre, and Ajanta Yadav. The Free Press Journal tried to reach out to assistant municipal commissioner Sudhakar Shinde but received no comment.

Supply of basic amenities crippled

Azmi said that the BMC has implemented a prescription-less policy but there has been no procurement from the central purchasing department affecting lakhs of people. He also alleged that the supply of basic amenities in hospitals, such as milk and food supplies, has also been crippled due to the administration’s laxity.

The Congress leader alleged that no drug has been scheduled through the central procurement authority, and the dean and medical officers end up buying essential medicines at higher rates from the open market everyday. “Moreover, every hospital is purchasing milk and food at different rates and under different conditions,” the corporations claimed.

Renovation underway since 5 years

In 2018, the municipality undertook the renovation of MT Agarwal Hospital, Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi, and Bhagwati Hospital in Borivali. Even after five years, these hospitals have not been renovated, as per the Congress corporators. They said that this year the administrators approved the purchase of life-saving endoscopic ultrasound medical equipment for KEM Hospital in Parel but the tender holder decided to cancel it. “The same goes for the supply of life-saving injections. The BMC is neglecting many such problems concerning citizens,” they said.

Former Corporators demand action

The former corporators have demanded strict action against officials who are cancelling contracts even after approval of the BMC administrator, and have sought the sacking of officials who do not finalise the tenders. Notably, the BMC had floated a tender for supply of medicines to municipal hospitals. However, only one or two suppliers responded to this tender. Most companies turned their backs on this tender process as the BMC has still to clear 20% of dues owed to the vendors, the corporators said.

However, a senior official from the public health department said, “For the first time in the history of the health department, we have got clear instructions from the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on buying additional medicines and other amenities for which we are spending additional Rs500-Rs1000 crore.”

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