Role of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common form of carcinoma and a primary cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Oxidative stress represents as an important factor in carcinogenesis and may play a role in initiation and progression of tumors. Oxidative stress–induced NO• damage to DNA includes a multitude of lesions, many of which are mutagenic and have multiple roles in cancer and aging. It is caused by an unfavorable balance between reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and antioxidant defenses. ROS/RNS are generated during normal cellular metabolism, as a result of the influence of various environmental factors, as well as during pathological processes. Nitric oxide (NO•) is a ubiquitous, short-lived free radical produced from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthases (NOSs), and isoforms of NOS exist, depending on the site of origin: endothelial (eNOS), neuronal (nNOS), mitochondrial (mtNOS), and inducible (iNOS). eNOS is responsible for the endothelial synthesis of NO• and has shown to modulate cancer-related events such as inflammation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell cycle, invasion, and metastasis. Genetic studies also showed that eNOS gene polymorphisms are associated with the development of breast cancer. Therefore, selective targeting of eNOS may prove a potential strategy for prevention and treatment of breast cancer

Evaluation of Hs-CRP levels and interleukin 18 (-137G/C) promoter polymorphism in risk prediction of coronary artery disease in first degree relatives.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is clearly a multifactorial disease that develops from childhood and ultimately leads to death. Several reports revealed having a First Degree Relatives (FDRS) with premature CAD is a significant autonomous risk factor for CAD development. C - reactive protein (CRP) is a member of the pentraxin family and is the most widely studied proinflammatory biomarker. IL-18 is a pleiotrophic and proinflammatory cytokine which is produced mainly by macrophages and plays an important role in the inflammatory cascade.Hs-CRP levels were estimated by ELISA and Genotyping of IL-18 gene variant located on promoter -137 (G/C) by Allele specific PCR in blood samples of 300 CAD patients and 300 controls and 100 FDRS. Promoter Binding sites and Protein interacting partners were identified by Alibaba 2.1 and Genemania online tools respectively. Hs-CRP levels were significantly high in CAD patients followed by FDRS when compared to controls. In IL-18 -137 (G/C) polymorphism homozygous GG is significantly associated with occurrence of CAD and Hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in GG genotype subjects when compared to GC and CC. IL-18 was found to be interacting with 100 protein interactants.Our results indicate that Hs-CRP levels and IL-18-137(G/C) polymorphism may help to identify risk of future events of CAD in asymptomatic healthy FDRS

Effects of ZnO Nanoparticles and Microwave Heating on the Sterilization and Product Quality of Vacuum-Packaged Caixin

BACKGROUND: The sterilization of vacuum-packaged Caixin (Brassica chinensis L.), which is a green-leafy vegetable and also a low-acid food, remains a difficult problem. In this study, effects of ZnO nanoparticles and microwave heating on the sterilization and product quality of vacuum-packaged Caixin were investigated. RESULTS: Addition of ZnO nanoparticle suspension at 0.01–0.02 g kg-1 reduced the number of bacterial colonies. The antibacterial activity was enhanced with the increased amount of ZnO nanoparticles. Microwave heating (915 and 2450 MHz) was used to sterilize Caixin samples. Samples had good product quality (better greenness, chroma and hue angle values, lower browning index and acceptable texture) and the lowest total colony number under the microwave heating condition of 400 W150 s (2450 MHz). CONCLUSION: The best sterilization condition was observed under 2450 MHz microwave (400W 150 s) heating combined with 0.02 g kg-1 ZnO nanoparticle addition, which led to a total colony number of <1 log CFUg-1 in Caixin samples within 7 days

Analysis of Hs-CRP levels (ng/ml) in Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients, FDRS and Controls.

<p>Analysis of Hs-CRP levels (ng/ml) in Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients, FDRS and Controls.</p