The ongoing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced the public health authorities to implement stringent measures, with an aim to reduce the mobility of the general population and thus interrupt the chain of transmission. An extensive search of all materials related to the topic was carried out in the PubMed search engine and World Health Organization website, and a total of six articles were selected based upon the suitability with the current review objectives. Keywords used in the search include COVID-19, Lockdown, and Exit. To contain the rapid spread of the disease, some of the affected nations have imposed complete lockdown within their settings. However, it is important to consider that the strategy of lockdown cannot be there for prolonged periods of time as it interrupts the social life and negatively affects the economy of the nation immensely. Thus, it is quite essential to lift these restrictions, but of course, the decision should be not taken in haste as it will again result in the resurgence of the cases and will overwhelm the health system. In conclusion, the decision to impose a lockdown has been an effective strategy to reduce the risk of transmission. However, it is also important to plan for revoking the same, and this will obviously require strengthening of the health system and the complete support from the community.

Microbes are an essential component of our ecosystem which have coexisted with humans and all other life forms for millions of years. These microbes have proven beneficial in our everyday life in many ways, but the recognized pathogenic forms have also proven to be dangerous to human life. The recent pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is evidence for the significant impact of negative human interference with the natural ecosystem which might include but is not limited to rapid urbanization, pollution, agricultural change, food consumption, and global warming. In this context, the principle of “eugenics” proposed by Sir Galton has been discussed in the current perspective. The aim of this review is to discuss the application of ethical scientific practices to promote healthy human evolution without disturbing the ecological balance. We reviewed literature relevant to the impact of microbial systems on public health including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. We suggest that the concept of “modern eugenics” should be reconsidered in ethical scientific terms by focusing on the beneficial gene(s) and eliminating harmful gene(s) of pathogenic organisms. This might contribute to the human genetic enhancement and facilitate a safe symbiotic ecosystem. In the past, scientists have successfully developed simple and safe bioassays for the identification of mutagens and carcinogens using pathogenic microorganisms. Similarly, recently developed gene therapies using viral vectors are excellent examples of the ethical and scientific application of modern eugenics for healthy human evolution. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an “International Society for Positive Science” comprising of individuals from all fields to critically analyze the positive and ethical use of science to promote and strengthen the cohabitation of all species and prevent the recurrence of future pandemics.

Context: Unhealthy lifestyles or social habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption in addition to heavy metals exposure may enhance alterations in micronutrients and fertility hormones. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the influence of smoking and alcohol consumption on reproductive hormones and micronutrients in workers exposed to heavy metals. Materials and Methods: Fifty workers from auto repair workshops and 44 occupationally unexposed control participants were recruited for the study. The occupationally exposed workers and control were further grouped into alcohol drinking smokers (ADS) and abstainers. The occupationally exposed workers comprised 28 ADS and 22 abstainers, while the control comprised 24 ADS and 20 abstainers. Blood samples were analyzed for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn); testosterone (Tt), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH); and statistical significance set at P < 0.05. Results: Pb, Cd, FSH, and LH levels were significantly higher, while Se, Zn, and Tt levels were significantly lower in the occupationally exposed workers compared to the control. Blood Pb and Cd levels in the exposed ADS were significantly higher compared to exposed abstainers and the control groups. Blood Se level was significantly lower in the exposed ADS compared to the exposed abstainers and control groups (P < 0.05). Blood Zn level in the exposed ADS was significantly lower compared to the exposed abstainers and abstainers in the control group. Serum Tt level was significantly lower in the exposed ADS compared to the exposed abstainers and control groups (P < 0.05). The serum FSH and LH were significantly higher in the exposed ADS compared to the control groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Smoking and alcohol consumption may exacerbate the adverse effect of heavy metal exposure on reproductive health and fertility. Hence, these workers should be enlightened on the imminent dangers of such unhealthy habits.

Purpose: Exposure to monosodium glutamate (MSG) is reported to have different effects on exposed rats depending on the age of exposure, believed to be as a result of its ability to pass the blood–brain barrier and affect the level and function of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Aim: The present study is aimed at understanding the differential effect of MSG in rats exposed either as neonate, neonate plus adult or adult only by measuring the metabolism of selected neurotransmitters in the brain. Materials and Methods: Neonates were grouped into 2 administered 4 mg/g body weight MSG and Saline (control) on postnatal days 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. The rats were allowed to mature for 30 weeks afterwards the MSG group were further divided into three groups (n = 6) and administered saline, 5 and 10 mg/g of MSG. Two other groups, not exposed to MSG at neonatal age, were similarly administered 5 and 10 mg/g of MSG, administration lasted for 6 weeks. Key enzymes of acetylcholine and tyrosine metabolisms as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured in whole brain homogenates. Results: Showed an increase in acetylcholinesterase and tyrosine hydroxylase activities which occurred similarly in both neonatal and adult administered groups. AST and ALT showed a similar activity significantly higher adult groups. Conclusion: MSG affected both neonate and adult administered groups similarly in a dose dependent manner.

Metabolic disease is a pandemic in modern times. However, understanding of the genomic basis associated with metabolism remains to be further elucidated. CpG islands are the genomic regions enriched in cytosine nucleotide (C) and guanine nucleotide (G), mostly located at promoters and contain the 5' end of the gene transcript. In this study, we utilize the UCSC Genome Browser to map the genomic locations and extract the CpG island tracks that are associated with the genes encoding functions in cell metabolism or metabolic disease. We identified a new genomic signature, namely inter-3' end CpG island (ITCI), associated with the genes encoding major metabolic regulators or enzymes in the human chromosome 19p13.3 region. In this region, the gene encoding a major metabolic regulator, CREB3L3, possesses a conserved CpG island in its 3' end. This unique ITCI genomic signature has been found in nine pairs of genes in the human chromosome 19p13.3 region. Many of these genes are associated with metabolism. In conclusion, we discovered a new type of genomic signature, ITCI, which is featured by a dozen of metabolic genes possessing conserved CpG islands in their 3' ends, in a specific human chromosome. Identification of ITCI signature and decoding of the ITCI-associated associated metabolic genes provide important insights into the genomic basis of metabolism or metabolic disease.