Antineoplastic activities of MT81 and its structural analogue in ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing swiss albino mice

Many fungal toxins exhibit in vitro and in vivo antineoplastic effects on various cancer cell types. Luteoskyrin, a hydroxyanthraquinone has been proved to be a potent inhibitor against Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The comparative antitumor activity and antioxidant status of MT81 and its structural analogue [Acetic acid-MT81 (Aa-MT81)] having polyhydroxyanthraquinone structure were assessed against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC ) tumor in mice. The in vitro cytotoxicity was measured by the viability of EAC cells after direct treatment of the said compounds. In in vivo study, MT81 and its structural analogue were administered (i.p.) at the two different doses (5, 7 mg MT81; 8.93, 11.48 mg Aa-MT81/kg body weight) for 7 days after 24 hrs. of tumor inoculation. The activities were assessed using mean survival time (MST), increased life span (ILS), tumor volume, viable tumor cell count, peritoneal cell count, protein percentage and hematological parameters. Antioxidant status was determined by malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH ) content, and by the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CA T). MT81 and its structural analogues increased the mean survival time, normal peritoneal cell count. They decreased the tumor volume, viable tumor cell count, hemoglobin percentage and packed cell volume. Differential counts of WBC, total counts of RBC & WBC that altered by EAC inoculation, were restored in a dose-dependent manner. Increased MDA and decreased GSH content and reduced activity of SOD, and catalase in EAC bearing mice were returned towards normal after the treatment of MT81 and its structural analogue. Being less toxic than parent toxin MT81, the structural analogue showed more prominent antineoplastic activities against EAC cells compared to MT81. At the same time, both compounds exhibit to some extent antioxidant potential for the EAC-bearing mice

The Key Genetic Determinants Behind the Phenotypic Heterogeneity of HbE/β-thalassemia Patients and the Probable Management Strategy

HbE/β-thalassemia is the most common severe form of thalassemia which is very prominent in South East Asian countries. It is responsible for nearly one-half of all the severe types of β-thalassemia all over the world. It is also known to represent a wide range of phenotypic diversity which varies from asymptomatic to transfusion-dependent severe phenotype. The most important predictive factor is mutations within the beta-globin gene (HBB). Apart from the primary genetic modifiers, there are certain other determinants regulating the phenotypic heterogeneity including, co-inheritance of alpha thalassemia mutations and other secondary modifiers including Xmn1 polymorphism, HBS1L-MYB, GATA-1, BCL11A polymorphism, and presence of HPFH mutations. Although the degree of severity is also determined by other tertiary genetic modifiers like increase in serum erythropoietin due to anemia, previous infection with malaria, environmental factors, splenectomy, etc. This review aimed to reveal the potential genetic predictors of HbE/β-thalassemia patients and the probable management strategy. This also enhances the generation of “personalized medicine” for better patient care. The instability of clinical phenotype and remarkable variation indicate careful monitoring of treatment for each patient and the therapeutic approaches should be monitored over time

Antimitotic, apoptotic and antineoplastic potential of leaf extract of Eupatorium ayapana

Eupatorium ayapana of Asteraceae family was found to possess useful therapeutic properties like hypoglycaemic, antimicrobial, hematoprotective, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant activities. The present study was aimed to evaluate the antimitotic, cytotoxic and apoptotic potential of the ethanolic and water extracts of Eupatorium ayapana leaf on Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma. Antimitotic study was done by using Allium cepa root tips model. In vitro cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay, apoptosis was determined by fluorescence microscopy, and cell cycle progression was analysed using flow cytometry; in vivo antitumor activity was performed in Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma bearing mice. Ethanolic and water extracts of Eupatorium ayapana leaf showed significant decrease in mitotic index. The IC50 value of ethanolic, and water extracts were 100.6 g/mL, 112.7 g/ml respectively in Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma cells. Fluorescence microscopy analysis showed significant increase in apoptotic cell death which was further confirmed through the flow cytometry analysis, which showed that the ethanolic extract arrests the cells in G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. The in vivo study illustrated significant increase in the survival time and reduction in the tumor induced angiogenesis in Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma bearing mice after the treatment of the extracts. Of this work the ethanolic and water extracts of Eupatorium ayapana leaf reveal antimitotic, cytotoxic and apoptotic potential on the Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma

A cross-sectional study on the nutritional status and morbidity profile of tribal and non-tribal female brick-field workers of Paschim Medinipur district

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the socioeconomic, anthropometric status and health morbidity profile of tribal and non tribal female brick-field workers of Paschim Medinipur district. Study design: Assessment of socioeconomic, health and nutritional parameters were done using 300 tribal & non tribal brick-field female workers at the age group of 18-30 years after randomized sampling. Place and duration of study: The study was done in 30 brick-fields located in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal in the month of November and December, 2013 for a period of 60 days. Methodology: Through oral questionnaire methods, socioeconomic studies, health morbidity profile and dietary assessments were performed. Anthropometric parameters were measured by the conventional anthropometric methods.Results: From the study it was observed that most of the women workers were illiterate. Female workers of non tribal and tribal groups engaged in this industry were living below the poverty line and the tribal workers showed poor economic status than the non-tribal women workers. The female workers showed significant decrease in height, weight and body mass index, compared to the Indian national standard values. Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) was also significantly lower to the Indian national standard in both age groups of female workers. The intake of energy, protein, carbohydrate carotene, riboflavin, dietary fiber, calcium and iron were significantly lower compared to the standard ICMR RDA. Conclusion: The female workers engaged in brick manufacturing works are mostly illiterate, economically backward, which make them vulnerable to health insecurity. Malnutrition among tribal & non tribal female workers is a problem that has perhaps been under-recognized, and should now take greater priority.International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 4 No 2 (2014) 51 – 5

Malnutrition based on mid upper arm circumference and dietary consumption pattern of Lodha tribal children of West Bengal, India

Background: Wasting, a form of malnutrition is a major public health burden in developing countries including India. Since, food and diet diversity have direct impact on nutritional status of children. The aim of the study was to assess the dietary consumption pattern and malnutrition based on mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) of Lodha tribal children of Paschim Medinipur and Jhargram districts of West Bengal, India.Methods: A total of 1043 Lodha preschool children (1-5 years) was selected for the present study. MUAC of the children was made and recorded by standard method. A questionnaire for 24-hour dietary recall method was applied to collect dietary information. Dietary diversity was calculated by standard techniques. All statistical analyses were performed by using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software.Results: The mean±SD of MUAC was 129.7±11.3 mm. The results showed that the mean MUAC increased steadily with the advancement of age in both genders. Prevalence of wasting based on MUAC in age-sex combined among Lodha children was 28.9%, of which 24.9% and 4.0% found to be moderate and severe acute malnutrition. The dietary intake of children was insufficient than recommended dietary allowance (RDA). The dietary diversity score (DDS) and Dietary serving score (DSS) of the children were very low. Pearson correlation analysis showed Mean adequacy ratio (MAR) had significant correlation with DDS (r=0.26, p<0.001), DSS (r=0.81, p<0.001), calorie intake (r=0.52, p<0.001) and protein intake (r=0.38, p<0.001).Conclusions: The dietary consumption of Lodha children was inadequate. This effort should be given to improve their nutritional status by nutrition education and nutrient sensitive farming including kitchen garden

Hemocompatible 3D Silver(I) Coordination Polymers: Synthesis, X-ray Structure, Photo-Catalytic and Antibacterial Activity

Three new Ag(I) coordination polymers, namely, [Ag3(pyp)3 (H2O)2](bpydc)1.5(H2O)6 (1), Ag2(dpe)2(phdac)](H2O)5.4 (2), and [Ag2(azbpy)3(H2O)2].(dga)(H2O)5 (3) (where pyp=1,3-bis(4-pyridylpropane), H2bpydc=2,2’-bipyridine-5,5’-dicarboxylic acid, dpe=1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene, H2phdac=1,4-phenylenediacetic acid, azpy=4,4’-azobispyridine and H2dga=diglycolic acid) were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, IR, UV–vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The most interesting aspect of these coordination polymers (CPs) in the solid state is represented by the number of lattice water molecules that, along with carboxylate ligands, play a crucial role in network formation through H-bonds to attain a 3D structure. The band gap energies of the CPs were calculated. Among the compounds studied CP 2 was proved to be the most efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of noxious organic dye methylene blue (MB) and in addition tendered better antibacterial activity. Finally, all three CPs showed to be hemocompatible

Rhodamine-azobenzene based single molecular probe for multiple ions sensing: Cu 2+ , Al 3+ , Cr 3+ and its imaging in human lymphocyte cells

A photoinduced electron transfer (PET) and chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) regulated rhodamineazobenzene chemosensor (L) was synthesized for chemoselective detection of Al3+, Cr3+, and Cu2+ by UV-Visible absorption study whereas Al3+ and Cr3+ by Iluorimetric study in EtOH-H2O solvent. L showed a clear fluorescence emission enhancement of 21 and 16 fold upon addition of Al3+ and Cr3+ due to the 1:1 host-guest complexation, respectively. This is first report on rhodamine-azobenzene based Cr3+ chemosensor. The complex formation, restricted imine isomerization, inhibition of PET (photo-induced electron transfer) process with the concomitant opening of the spirolactam ring induced a turn-on fluorescence response. The higher binding constants 6.7 x 10(3) M-1 and 3.8 x 10(3) M-1 for Al(3+ )and Cr3+, respectively and lower detection limits 1 x 10(-6)M and 2 x 10(-6) M for Al3+ and Cr3+, respectively in a buffered solution with high reversible nature describes the potential of L as an effective tool for detecting Al3+ and Cr3+ in a biological system with higher intracellular resolution. Finally, L was used to map the intracellular concentration of Al3+ and Cr3+ in human lymphocyte cells (HLCs) at physiological pH very effectively. Altogether, our findings will pave the way for designing new chemosensors for multiple analytes and those chemosensors will be effective for cell imaging study

Gel-Emulsion Properties of Nontoxic Nicotinic Acid-Derived Glucose Sensor

Amide linkage containing two nicotinic acid amphiphiles have been investigated for their gel-emulsion and glucose sensing properties. In emulsions, the synthesized materials were used as stabilizers in water medium, whereas organic solvents and/or mineral oils as dispersed phase and water acts as a continuous phase. The gel-emulsions were prepared at room temperature by stirring or shaking, and no heating–cooling arrangement or addition of any other co-solvents or active agents are mandatory. Rheological investigation of these amphiphiles showed mechanical stability of gel-emulsions and its viscoelasticity. Optical images confirmed the existence of network structures in gel-emulsion phase for both amphiphiles. FE-SEM measurement suggests the morphology depends on the solvent:water composition. An XRD study proposed that the arrangements of the amphiphiles in the emulsion state are different. The gel-emulsions formed by the studied amphiphiles are able to entrap and release biomolecules, anticancer drug molecules, and hazards chemicals. These gelator molecules are very sensitive to detect glucose molecules in aqueous solution. The subchronic toxicity of these synthesized molecules has been evaluated as nontoxic on the hematological and biochemical parameters of male Swiss albino mice