A mouse model for oral squamous cell carcinoma

Despite recent advances, the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma is still poor. Therapeutic options such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and the novel treatment option gene therapy are being investigated in animal models. Diverse models have been studied to induce oral squamous cell carcinomas. The carcinogenic 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) model has proven to be successful although until now it is unknown at what time point the established tumor is a representative squamous cell carcinoma and has a suitable volume for scientific treatment. For this end we applied 4NQO 3 times a week during 16 weeks and measured the volume of tumor tissue each week until the end of the experiment at 40 weeks. Concurrent histopathology at different time points up to the end of the experiment revealed that all mice bearing oral tumors were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry with markers cyclin D1 and E-cadherin revealed that the generated mouse oral tumors showed strong similarities with the described immunopathology in human oral tumors. The 4NQO model is a suitable alternative for preclinical gene therapy experiments with primary oral tumors. Future survey of therapeutic options in the carcinogenic 4NQO model should be conducted around 40 weeks after the start of the treatment

The long-acting COX-2 inhibitor mavacoxib (Trocoxil (TM)) has anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on canine cancer cell lines and cancer stem cells in vitro

BACKGROUND: The NSAID mavacoxib (Trocoxcil™) is a recently described selective COX-2 inhibitor used for the management of inflammatory disease in dogs. It has a long plasma half-life, requiring less frequent dosing and supporting increased owner compliance in treating their dogs. Although the use of NSAIDs has been described in cancer treatment in dogs, there are no studies to date that have examined the utility of mavacoxib specifically. RESULTS: In this study we compared the in vitro activity of a short-acting non-selective COX inhibitor (carprofen) with mavacoxib, on cancer cell and cancer stem cell survival. We demonstrate that mavacoxib has a direct cell killing effect on cancer cells, increases apoptosis in cancer cells in a manner that may be independent of caspase activity, and has an inhibitory effect on cell migration. Importantly, we demonstrate that cancer stem cells derived from osteosarcoma cell lines are sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of mavacoxib. CONCLUSIONS: Both NSAIDs can inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in vitro. Importantly, cancer stem cells derived from an osteosarcoma cell line are sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of mavacoxib. Our results suggest that mavacoxib has anti-tumour effects and that this in vitro anti-cancer activity warrants further study. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-014-0184-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

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e-pest surveillance technique was conceptualized, developed and studied.Modern pest management cannot operate without accurate estimates of pest andnatural enemies population densities in the fields. To meet this requirement, an ecologically and ecnomically sound strategy for pest management which was based upon 3-pest mapping and e-pest surveillance technique was conceptualized, developed and studied. It was compared with traditional pest surveillance and management system as practiced in the developing countries like India. The e-pest mapping of paddy, cotton (using historical pest data) and soybean (current season pest data) were done. The temporal assessment of pest scenario can be depicted through the maps. The district wise index map of India was also preared. When different parameters viz., information on pests’ populations build up, quantification of plant protection inputs required, grao-ecosystem planning, pest advisouries, Plant protection inputs performance, various other parameters and impact analysis strategies were compared, the new Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based e-pest surveillance cum mappimg was found far superior over the traditional pest surveillance and management system.Not Availabl

Selection of sensitive bands for assessing Alernaria blight diseased severity grades in mustard crops using hyperspectral reflectance

Recent development in remote sensing technology using hyperspectral reflectance or spectroscopic data was enabled the rapid and ongoing progression of monitoring, mapping, and surveillance/detection of insects tools for better crop management. This study describes a spectroscopic based methodology to escalation the efficiency of present surveillance practices (insect traps and human examinations) for detection pest infestation (e.g., Alternaria blight in mustard crop). The methodology uses ground based hyperspectral data across the spectral bands 350-2500nm at 1 nm interval. Three different statistical procedures such as correlation (between reflectance, 1st and 2nd derivatives with diseased severity grades), continuum removal analysis was implemented for selection of sensitive bands. In this method, we explore the combinations of different selected sensitive spectral bands and regions to separate diseased crops. The objectives of this research is to develop a novel methodology for selection of sensitive bands to Alternaria blight diseased crops. The development of such methodology would provide researchers, Agronomist, and remote sensing practitioners reliable and stable method to achieve faster technique with higher accuracy to mapping of Alternaria blight diseased crops

Insight into the Mechanism of Decontamination and Disinfection at the Functionalized Carbon Nanotube–Polymer Interfaces

The role of different functional groups and the nature of the functional group on multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) surface were thoroughly studied for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) loading and on the mechanism of decontamination and disinfection. The surfactant free method for grafting of AgNPs on MWCNT surface followed by vacuum annealing was adapted to enhance the interfacial interactions of nanomaterials with bacteria. The best performing functionalized MWCNT was selected for the fabrication of functional composite membrane for further insight into the interfacial interaction of polymer–nanomaterials. It has been shown that at an optimized weight percentage loading of functionalized MWCNTs, nanotube scaffolds were generated inside the pores of polysulfone membrane to sieve out toxic metal ions and bacteria by physical and chemical elimination without compromising the flux rate of filtration. The structure property relationship of the nanocomposite membrane has been thoroughly evaluated by the morphological, surface area, and contact angle measurement studies. The modified surface of MWCNTs by Ag nanoparticles and polar functional groups placed on the pores of the membrane was thus further exposed for interfacial interaction with the decontaminated and disinfected water, which in turn enhances the efficiency of filtration