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Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming our lifestyle intending to mimic human intelligence by a computer/machine in solving various issues. Initially, AI was designed to overcome simpler problems like winning a chess game, language recognition, image retrieval, among others. With the technological advancements, AI is getting increasingly sophisticated at doing what humans do, but more efficiently, rapidly, and at a lower cost in solving complex problems. AI in healthcare provides an upper hand undoubtedly over traditional analytics and clinical decision-making techniques. Machine learning (ML) algorithms, a subset of AI, can detect patterns from huge complex datasets to become more precise and accurate as they interact with training data, allowing humans to gain unprecedented insights into early detection of diseases, drug discovery, diagnostics, healthcare processes, treatment variability, and patient

Background This work aimed to evaluate the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SLC47A1 (922-158G>A; rs2289669) and SLC47A2 (−130G>A; rs12943590) genes on the relative change in HbA1c in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients of South India who are taking metformin as monotherapy. It also aims to study the effects of these SNPs on the dose requirement of metformin for glycemic control and the adverse effects of metformin. Methods Diabetes patients on metformin monotherapy were recruited based on the eligibility criteria (n=105). DNA was extracted and genotyping was performed with a real-time PCR system using TaqMan® SNP genotyping assay method. The HbA1c levels were measured using Bio-Rad D-10™ Hemoglobin Analyzer. Results After adjusting for multiple comparisons (Bonferroni correction) the difference found in the glycemic response between the “GG” genotype and “AG/AA” genotype groups of the SLC47A2 gene was not significant (p=0.027; which was greater than the critical value of 0.025). Patients with “GG” genotype showed a 5.5% decrease in HbA1c from baseline compared to those with the “AG/AA” genotype (0.1% increase). The SNP in the SLC47A1 gene also did not influence the glycemic response to metformin (p=0.079). The median dose requirements based on the genotypes of the rs12943590 variant (p=0.357) or rs2289669 variant (p=0.580) were not significantly different. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the occurrence of adverse effects across the genotypes in both the SLC47A1 (p=0.615) and SLC47A2 (p=0.309) genes. Conclusions The clinical response to metformin was not associated with the SNPs in the SLC47A1 and SLC47A2 genes coding for the multidrug and toxin extrusion protein (MATE) transporters. Furthermore, the studied SNPs had no influence on the dose requirement or adverse effects of metformin.

Summary What is known and objective Variable response to docetaxel‐based neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in breast cancer patients had been reported. Genetic polymorphisms in the ABCB1 gene coding for the efflux transporter MDR1 (P‐glycoprotein, P‐gp) could result in altered tumour response. Hence, this study was proposed to assess the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ABCB1 gene on tumour response in locally advanced breast cancer patients (LABC) of South India who have a distinct genetic makeup. Methods Out of 162 LABC patients recruited, 129 patients were included for the final analysis. DNA was extracted by “phenol‐chloroform extraction method” from the WBCs, and genotyping for SNPs rs1045642 (C3435T) and rs1128503 (C1236T) in ABCB1 gene was performed with real‐time PCR system using validated TaqMan® SNP genotyping assay method. Tumour response was assessed by RECIST criteria based on the MRIs taken before and after completion of four cycles of docetaxel therapy. Results and discussion A total of 102 (79.1%) patients were found to be responders and 27 (20.9%) patients were found to be non‐responders to docetaxel therapy. Patients with “CT/TT” genotypes (response rate: 83.3%) of ABCB1 (C1236T) gene showed better tumour response than those with “CC” genotype (response rate: 16.6%) [OR = 2.94 (CI: 1.15‐7.52); P = 0.03]. However, on performing binary logistic regression, neither the studied SNPs nor the non‐genetic factors like age, BMI, postmenopausal status, laterality of the tumour, ER status, PR status and Her‐2/neu status were found to be associated with tumour response to docetaxel (P > 0.05). What is new and conclusion The tumour response to docetaxel was significantly influenced by the SNP C1236T of ABCB1 gene coding for the P‐gp. However, when adjusted for other non‐genetic factors, neither of the ABCB1 variants were found to be associated with tumour response to docetaxel‐based NACT in LABC patients of South India.

Background Molnupiravir is an oral antiviral drug that received Emergency Use Authorization in three countries for the treatment of mild COVID-19. The aim of this systematic review was to find out the safety and efficacy of Molnupiravir in SARS-COV-2 infections. Methods The electronic databases such as PubMed, MedRxiv, BioRxiv, FDA, ClinicalTrials.Gov, ctri.nic.in and Google Scholar were searched for articles from January 2021 to March 2022 using the keywords such as "Molnupiravir", "COVID-19", "Oral antiviral pill", "MK-4482", "EIDD-280", "Efficacy" and "Safety". Details of published, unpublished with interim reports and ongoing studies of Molnupiravir in COVID-19 were retrieved, and a systematic review was performed. Results A total of 6 articles and 18 ongoing trials data were collected. Out of these, data from 4 published and 2 unpublished with interim reports were extracted. After review of these studies, it was observed that the daily dose of 1600 mg Molnupiravir for 5 days was safe and tolerable with nausea, diarrhea and headache as the common adverse effects. The results also showed significant decrease in time to viral clearance with 800 mg twice daily in mild patients and reduction in the risk of hospitalization or death by 50% in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Conclusion Evidence from clinical studies showed that Molnupiravir caused significant reduction in the risk of hospitalization or death in high-risk mild COVID-19 patients. Molnupiravir was also found to be well tolerated and safe without any major adverse events on short-term use. For confirmative use of this drug in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 disease, further studies are required in vaccinated COVID-19 patients and against emerging variants.