Evaluation of few bioactive components of spice origin for their antimicrobial potential towards microbes commonly implicated in food spoilage and foodborne pathogenesis

Natural components isolated from spices are gaining the attention of food researchers to prevent the growth of microbes associated with food spoilage and foodborne pathogenesis to meet the ever-increasing consumers’ demand for safe and wholesome food free from harmful synthetic preservatives. In the present study, five bioactive components of spice origin, namely, allylisothiocyanate (AITC), cinnamic aldehyde (CIA), cuminic aldehyde (CUA), eugenol (EU), and menthol (MT) were evaluated for their antimicrobial potential towards six bacterial strains (Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Shigella sonnei, Staphylococcus aureus) and eleven fungal strains (Alternaria solani, Aspergillus niger, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium herbarum, Fusarium oxysporum, Geotrichum candidum, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium expansum, Phoma exigua, Rhizopus arrhizus and Rhizopus stolonifer), by opting agar well diffusion assay, impregnated paper disc method and broth dilution technique. All these seventeen microbes pose deleterious effects on food and human health. Among the bioactive compounds, CIA and CUA turned out to be the most potent inhibitors of microorganisms, whereas MT was found to be the least effective. Lower concentrations of bioactive components, ranging from 1.95 µL/mL to 15.62 µL/mL, were needed to inhibit fungi, while higher concentrations ranging from 15.62 µL/mL to 1000 µL/mL were needed to inhibit bacterial strains. Among the bacterial strains tested, gram-negative bacteria were inhibited at higher component concentration levels (31.25 µL/mL-1000 µL/mL) compared to gram-positive bacteria. The present study updates the existing information on the antimicrobial potency of natural substances, paving the way to further research on establishing spice bioactive components as ‘natural additives’.

Antinuclear antibodies and their detection methods in diagnosis of connective tissue diseases: a journey revisited

It has been more than 50 years since antinuclear antibodies were first discovered and found to be associated with connective tissue diseases. Since then different methods have been described and used for their detection or confirmation. For many decades immunofluorescent antinuclear antibody test has been the "gold standard" in the diagnosis of these disorders. However to increase the sensitivity and specificity of antinuclear antibody detection further approaches were explored. Today a battery of newer techniques are available some of which are now considered better and are competing with the older methods. This article provides an overview on advancement in antinuclear antibody detection methods, their future prospects, advantages, disadvantages and guidelines for use of these tests

Papillary glioneuronal tumor: a new entity awaiting inclusion in WHO classification

Papillary glioneuronal tumor (PGNT) is a recently described lesion of the brain, which is still not included as a separate entity in WHO classification. To date 32 cases of PGNT have been reported in the world literature. We report the 33(rd )case, a 41-year-old male who presented with pain in the nape of the neck. MRI showed a large, predominantly solid mass involving the cerebral parenchyma of the left temporal and parieto-occipital lobes with extension across the midline. Histologically, it was a mixture of glial and neuronal components. Architecturally, the tumor was notable for its pseudopapillary pattern with hyalinized vessels. PGNT is considered as a low grade neoplasm and surgical excision has been curative in most of the cases. More cases of PGNT need to be reported as they may add further knowledge about its biologic behavior and allow its recognition and classification

Renal cell carcinoma metastasizing to duodenum: a rare occurrence

BACKGROUND: Duodenal metastasis is rare in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and early detection, especially in case of a solitary mass, helps in planning further therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case report of a 55 year old male with duodenal metastasis of RCC. This patient presented with jaundice and abdominal lump one year after nephrectomy. On upper gastrointestinal endoscopy a submucosal mass lesion was noted in the duodenum, the biopsy of which revealed metastasis. CONCLUSION: In a nephrectomized patient presenting with jaundice and an abdominal mass, the possibility of metastasis should be suspected and a complete evaluation, especially endoscopic examination followed by biopsy, should be carried out

Association between various antioxidants in normals and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, their alteration and impact of smoking and disease on levels of antioxidants

Background: There is total alteration of various antioxidants in response to the oxidative stress, which is one of the major patho-physiologic hallmarks in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development. This study aims to establish the correlation between different antioxidants in normals and COPD, study the alteration in the correlation due to COPD and smoking as well as the impact of COPD and smoking on antioxidants levels.Methods: Study comprises of 96 normals as group I and 96 COPD patients as group II. The antioxidants albumin (Alb), bilirubin (Bil), uric acid (UA) ceruloplasmin (Cp), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) were estimated.Results: Significant lower serum Alb, UA, SOD3 and increased serum Cp and GSHPx were found in Group II. Significant correlation was found between Alb and UA (r=0.24); Bil and UA (r=0.26); Alb and CAT (r=0.211) and SOD3 and CAT (r=0.318) in normals. However, these correlations were altered in COPD where Alb correlates with Bil (r=0.235); UA with CAT (r=0.203) and SOD3 with GSHPx (r=-0.27). The correlation between SOD3 and CAT remained unaltered. Similar correlation of UA with Alb and Bil was observed in nonsmoker normals and between SOD3 and CAT in smoker normals. In COPD, no correlation was seen in nonsmokers, while in smokers Alb correlates with Bil (r=0.316) and SOD3 with CAT (r=0.317).Conclusions: These alterations may have clinical ramifications in further understanding the pathogenesis of COPD and developing therapeutic approaches

AMLEORATIVE ROLE OF ESCULETIN􀇧MEDIATED RENOPROTECTION AGAINST GENTAMICIN􀇧INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY AND POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT OF N􀇧METHYL􀇧D􀇧ASPARTATE RECEPTORS

Objective: In this investigation, the amleorative role of esculetin (Esc) was investigated in gentamicin (Genta) nephrotoxicity in rats and the possible role of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) in genta-induced nephrotoxicity.Methods: Genta (100 mg/kg/day, i.p. for 7 days) was administered to rats for the induction of nephrotoxicity, and subsequently, the extent of renal damage was measured by estimating creatinine clearance (CrCl), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, microprotienuria and fractional excretion of sodium, and potassium. In addition, renal superoxide anion generation (SAG), Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and reduced glutathione (GSH) level were used to evaluate renal oxidative parameters. Renal myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was used to measure renal inflammation. D-serine, NMDA agonist was used in this study to evaluate the role of NMDA antagonist in genta-induced nephrotoxicity. Histopathological examination was performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining method.Results: Genta-treated rats exhibited remarkable changes in renal parameters like increase in BUN, uric acid, microprotein fractional excretion of sodium and potassium with decrease in CrCl and similarly biochemical parameters like increase in SAG, thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), MPO activity with decrease in GSH level. Treatment with Esc (5 and 10 mg/kg/day, i.p for 7 days), NMDAR antagonist attenuated the genta-induced nephrotoxicity but did not shown significant effect on combined use of genta and D-serine treated group. Histopathological examination of gentatreated rats. The coadministration of Esc + genta-protected kidney tissue from nephrotoxic effect of genta as illustrated by normalization of tubules but not with the combined use of Esc + genta + D-serine treated rats.Conclusion: Esc displayed protective effect in genta-induced nephrotoxicity but combined effect of Esc + genta + D-serine abolished the protective effect of Esc thus confirming that NMDAR may be involved in genta-induced nephrotoxicity

Cancer stem cell, chromosomal instability, and cancer immunity

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a unique population of tumor cells with stem cell-like properties. They are believed to be involved in drug resistance, potential therapy failure, tumor relapse after treatment, and ultimately reduced overall survival of cancer patients. One of the causal factors that may lead to CSC formation is chromosomal instability (CIN), a dynamic event leading to numerical and structural changes in the chromosomes. The CIN is also proposed to aid the maintenance of CSCs, contribute towards their heterogeneity, and facilitate their immune escape. However, the role of CIN in the modulation of the immune system in tumors remains contradictory. Studies have revealed that it can lead to both activation and suppression of the immune system. Previous literature suggests that the CIN, CSCs, and cancer immunity (3Cs), interact with and complement each other to create a pro-tumor environment. However, the mechanisms underlying such an interaction are poorly understood. So, in this review article, an attempt has been made to understand the nature of the interaction between the triad of CIN, CSC, and the immune response in tumors and some of the pathways governing the same. Understanding the above may be a positive step towards the complete cure for malignant diseases